Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 19:

Various political leaders and development experts stressed that there is no option for multiparty democracy and parliamentary system that empowers the people.

Speaking at a programme today organised by the Civic Voice for Democratic Purification, prominent leaders and development experts stressed the need for developing democratic culture in the country.

Citing several examples of development activities performed in the last 13 years, former minister and central committee member of Nepali Congress Dr Ram Sharan Mahat said there is no option of democracy as it empowers the citizens. "No doubt that political leaders have committed mistakes but it does not mean that the democratic system is inappropriate ," he said. "Unless democracy is guaranteed and the Constitution revived we cannot assure the people of development benefits," Mahat said. The former member of the National Planning Commission claimed that people enjoyed more benefits in the past 13 years than in the Panchayati period. More people have received education and poverty has also gone down.

"At present, the literacy rate is 60 per cent which is 20 per cent higher than the Panchayati period," he said adding, "More than nine thousand kilometres of roads were constructed."

Development expert Dr Rudolf Hoegger, however, said that no one can take credit for the development except the people. "Neither the Royal Palace nor the government can claim development efforts," he said. "The parties have not right to claim any contribution," he added. Dr Hoegger also said that it is not important who is in power, but what is vital is who provides services. "The parties or whoever is in power should provide services to the people." Ex-minister Ramesh Nath Pandey stressed the need to protect rights, develop democratic culture and free market economy for the healthy development of parliamentary system. He said there is no alternatives to democracy.