In talking about CSR

LETTERS

It’s good to see various banks paying heed to their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and doing their best to accomplish it. Nepal’s leading banks are in the race of fulfilling CSR, and our hearty congratulation goes to such banks for their commendable social work. However, such deed by any business corporate house should be done at their own cost, out of their profit, not raising funds from the public. However, a recent appeal (advertisement), though for conservation of historic temple in Patan, from a bank draws attention seemingly because the way it is going to accomplish it sounds against the true spirit of CSR. The bank’s appealed to participate in the cause with donation, that too with a chance to win lucrative hundreds of thousands of rupees. In this context, it would be satisfying to us if Nepal Rastra Bank, the regulatory body of the Bank and Financial Institutions (BFIs), speaks a little on whether or not BFIs should carry out such CSR-drive involving prize for winning.

Anil Joshi, Hetauda

Hydro-power

This refers to the news report “Hydro-power development a must: WB” (THT, April 27, Page 11). The World Bank’s board member Man Ho AU has rightly advised our government to focus on hydropower development for the prosperity of Nepal . Finance Minister Pun has urged for investments in Nepal to help alleviate poverty. Once our hydro-power generation gets into the right track, our tourism and agriculture sectors and infrastructure projects will automatically flourish, which are the basic requirement for the country’s development. Everyone should devote themselves for nation-building not the personal gains. Big and rampant corruptions have created grave hindrances in the nation-building thrust. Law and order in the country also needs to be stressed.

Rajendra Gurbacharya, Kathmandu

Positive sign

This is with reference to your news report “Foreign investors throng Nepal” (THT, April 24, Page 12). Rays of hope can be felt these days as the political tussle has turned into the “J” shape. We can at least expect some good things.

The Chief Executive of Investment Board Radhesh Pant has shown some good reference regarding the investors from various countries, who are willing and thronging to Nepal to make investments in various sectors. Since a few years, the tourism sector is booming and the hotels these days are almost booked in advance by the tourists, which is a positive sign for every stakeholder. If the Central Bureau of Statistics is to be believed, it’s good news for restaurateurs and hoteliers, as this industry will be growing by 8.28 percentage point in this current fiscal year. The major investment-friendly and lucrative sectors like hydro-power, mining, agriculture, poultry, housing, tourism obviously receive better treatment. But, strict rules and regulations should be imposed so that fraudulent

activities do not take place. It’s encouraging that this will generate more employment opportunities for the unemployed youths.

Moin Uddin, Ghattekulo, Kathmandu