Make it a priority

Apropos of the news report “Valley chokes on plastic pollutants” (THT, Oct 20), I’m pleased that THT has time and again made an endeavour to inform the general public about pressing ecological concerns. However, I was disappointed in that the news report failed to mention perhaps the most adverse impact of non-degradable pollutants on public health. I live in Kathmandu and burning of garbage and wastes that includes plastic bags, bottles and containers is common in my neighborhood as in many other areas in the capital. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City needs to make non-degradable waste disposal a priority.

Ellen Leitzer, Kupundol, Lalitpur

No bar

The minister for Law, Justice and Constituent Assembly Affairs recently stated that the current

judiciary has been incapable of dispensing justice to the people. He also added that a new system of judiciary that would give justice to the people would be one of the features of the new constitution. I fully agree with Minister Dev Gurung that a fair judiciary should be one of the building blocks of the new Nepal that our political leaders have envisioned. However, I do not agree with him that the interim constitution is a hindrance to the process of improving the judicial system and eradicating corruption in the judiciary. Immediate formulation of laws that provides for the confiscation of the properties of corrupt judges would be an effective step towards improving the judicial system in our country. The same anti-corruption laws should invariably be applied to public servants of Nepali officialdom.

R Sayami, Kathmandu

Mend ways

This is in reference to the news report “NC finds relevance in revolt threat” (THT, Oct 20). The Maoists, though they are heading the government, have not been able to improve the law and order situation in the country. The Maoists have not yet been able to facilitate the return of seized properties to their rightful owners and to fully dismantle the regimented structure of YCL, either. The general public should be able to feel a sense of an improvement in the security situation, and criminals should increasingly feel insecure. However, the Nepali Congress instead crying foul should support the Maoist-led government in its efforts to restore

law and order and help the Constituent Assembly accomplish its most vital task — draft the new constitution within the given time.

Rekha Karki, Gaushala, Kathmandu

A lesson

Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala recently promised to pass down the mantle of party leadership in three months. This has fuelled dissatisfaction among his party cadres. Koirala has shown his mettle as a competent statesman. Now, it is time for Koirala to accept his retirement and show that he is committed to democratic principles he has advocated as a party leader. For this, he needs to create opportunities for young leadership in the party. The Maoist-led government, which has initiated radical reforms within a commendably short span of time, should serve as a lesson to NC leaders and be ready to mend their ways.

Paul Rai, Bhaktapur