Enough is enough

It is encouraging to know that the NOC has requested the Home Ministry to bring in the petroleum products under the Essential Services Act “NOC for invoking Essential Services Act” (THT, March 31).

However, unless the NOC remains the semi property of the government, its government-orientated management will get more monopolized and start to impose anti-consumer policies. In the absence of proper financial control mechanism, it has been engaging in corrupt practices as pointed out in various government formed commissions’ reports. As a result, the consumers have been immensely overburdened with unscientifically adjusted pricing of petroleum products as compared to that of the international market.

Once the private parties start handling this business with clear cut government policy, there would be no unwanted tug-of-war between NOC and the tankers and petroleum

dealers’ associations, and the consumers would not have to unnecessarily worry.

NOC should wisely think of repaying its loans taken from several financial institutions rather than unnecessarily spending money for buying 50 tankers. Be responsive and sincere to the tax payers.

Rai Biren Bangdel, Maharajgunj

Perplexed

At a time when the nation is coping with multiple conflicts and crisis, the Army also hasn’t been immune to them. We the people were perplexed with the recent incident

involving the retirement of the generals.

The Army at least has the reputation of being clean and disciplined as compared to other departments or bureaucracy.

As in any democratic nation, the generals being retired have every right to appeal and seek a fair explanation as to the terms of their retirement. The Defence Ministry has no right to interfere politically or administratively over the working mechanisms of the Army guided by the specific Act.

If we do not implement mechanisms to keep the Army and its Chief being regulated by the Ministry and Parliament in the new Constitution of Federal Nepal then the Army, instead of being democratic and disciplined may turn autonomous and will be a separate power pole along with the Parliament and Prime Minister.

Lastly the Army must shed its orthodox, conservative mindset and overhaul radically to be more inclusive to people of all backgrounds, secular with no leaning to any religion, and be more people-oriented and nation serving.

Dr.Chhering Yonzon, Baluwatar

Intimidated

The students election has converted the learning institutions into a virtual battle ground of politics. Pitched battles are fought amongst the various politically affiliated student unions during the students union elections. There are rampant threats, intimidations and violence in all the campuses of the country.

With this type of atmosphere, how can there be any atmosphere to do any serious studies. With this kind of college atmosphere in most of the colleges what kind of students and future citizens can we expect to produce from these campuses.

C. Tuladhar, via e-mail