Outdated aircraft:

One fatal and two near-fatal plane accidents in a short span are indeed alarming. Twin Otters are involved in all these mishaps. These aircraft are very old and the company that manufactured them in Canada has shut down. Are the operators still getting the spare parts originally designed in Canada or are they using fake ones? Or are they following the “bold pilots don’t get old” policy? Also, a fresh coat of paint does not make any plane ‘new.’ CAAN must ground all the Twin Otters and carry out an inspection. The operators just cannot risk precious human lives for the sake of profit. Similarly, the Fokkers also need inspection as the manufacturer closed production almost 10 years ago. SAAB planes are also no longer manufactured in Sweden, and Crossair that flew them first had billed them a total failure. No wonder TIA looks like a dumping ground rather than an airport. The only aircraft with companies still operating are those owned by Buddha Air and the national flag-carrier NAC.

The private sector has surely contributed to aviation boom, but the cost in human casualties has increased rapidly over the years. It is CAAN’s job to find out from where the planes are sourced, whether or not the companies have access to original parts and how bold our pilots are these days.

Rajesh Koirala, via e-mail

Biased:

Dearness allowance concerns the retired civil servants as much as the current employees. The budget has announced 10 per cent dearness allowance for the government employees but it seems this provision is only for those serving right now. The finance minister should think of the welfare of the retired employees as well. They too have spent long years in service and deserve similar benefits. The government should not be biased as the financial condition of most of the retired civil servants is quite pathetic.

Akasbani Mohan, via e-mail

Huge loss:

It is good that the Maoist leadership is showing a willingness to cooperate with the government. But some statements made by the top Maoist leaders have shown ruthlessness and created doubts about Maoist intent. Prachanda, in an interview recently, had said that the loss of 13,000 lives is actually not a huge figure as the country was engulfed in a revolution. The country has suffered much because of the insurgency. The Maoists must now work for the good of the country and give up violence altogether. It would be better if they sought forgiveness from the families who have lost their near and dear ones during the insurgency.

Ritu Raj Onta, via e-mail

Disturbance:

The city dwellers are suffering from noise pollution that is increasing by the day. Two furniture factories near my house make constant noise and disturb the neighbourhood round the clock. The students are the real victims because they cannot concentrate on their studies. The people are helpless as the municipality has taken no action. Constant noise compounded by dust pollution can harm the population. Don’t we have the right to live healthy lives? Can nybody help?

Hira Lal Khadgi, Jhamsikhel