Recently, the Ministry of Finance, as per a Cabinet meeting, issued a notice that stated fuel allowances to government entities would be slashed by 20 per cent until mid-July 2022. This means, the government has taken this important and most precious decision for the coming three months only.
With a ballooning trade deficit and declining economic performance in the country, the government should implement the decision for the entire year and beyond. Although fuel allowance is essential for running the entire administration smoothly, still it cannot be more important than the critical situation prevailing in the country.
Fuel facility is provided to every government body for its smooth working. But some are prone to show VVIP status by having a number of security vehicles around them. There is that thinking that the more the number of vehicles accompanying a government official, the higher the status. Nepal's Prime minister has at least five vehicles accompanying him while going from one place to another.
The President has about 7-8 vehicles. The Defense and Home Ministers have 3-4 vehicles around them. The Chief Justice has three vehicles for his security.
Providing them security is essential as they are important persons of our nation. But many ministers and so-called VVIPs own vehicles worth crores of rupees, which consume large amounts of fuel. It would be better if they travelled in electric vehicles (EVs) to save on imported fuel and to promote a cleaner environment.
I have great respect for the Chief of Army Staff, who, despite being a very important person of the nation, travels alone in a vehicle without many security vehicles. Along with that, the Army Chief also has an EV to travel to work, helping to fight back the economic slowdown.
Here is a request to every important and valuable entity of the nation to become aware of the economy, and not have many vehicles around them as a status symbol or to be called VVIPs. Fuel is essential for development activities and an efficient transportation system.
There is no need for extra vehicles to accompany VVIPs in the name of security or as a status symbol. Even retired high-ranking government officials should be aware about it and promote EVs while reducing the security forces. It's a request to the most valuable and important persons of our nation to take such steps on their own and show some patriotism. Their single step would earn the respect of thousands of people.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 28, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
