Apropos of the news story “Civil servants told to quit if ‘dissatisfied” (THT, June 17, Page 3), I have a lot of respect for the Honourable Minister of General Administration, Lal Babu Pandit who is right to

advise the civil servants to quit if they are not satisfied with their salary, nature and place of work. This is professional advice that one gets in highly democratic countries like the US and India. The civil servants have the absolute right to quit their jobs and join I/NGOs, private companies or leave the country for better opportunities. There should be draconian laws against moonlighting to curb civil

servants’ lust for making money on the side and misusing office equipment, transport, position and contacts for planning a bright future at home or abroad for their kith and kin.

The ongoing Lalit Modi saga could be a good case study for them including ministers who hobnob with‘businessmen’ of questionable characters.

The civil servants should not be allowed to showcase extracurricular talents in singing, lyric, prose and poetry composition, sporting and dancing skills and the like while they are hanging on to their official responsibilities.

J. Talchabhadell, Bhaktapur

Congrats!

Apropos of the news story “Nagarkoti first woman secretary” (THT, June 16, Page 12), I feel delighted to see a woman within my lifetime as a maiden member secretary of NSC in 66 years of its history. Congratulations to Sakuntala Nagarkoti for being appointed as the top official of our entire sports fraternity. Hats off to those who decided to appoint her status quo ante. This news has obviously spread hope, a sense of innovation and myriad positive feelings that are to be seen in due course. In each bunch of flower of the garland you have worn there lies unique responsibility and the thread which has linked those flowers of onerous responsibilities should never be stained politics. With so-called politically biased senior’s pressure and corruption loopholes hanging like the Damocle’s sword over the head, you ought to be mentally ready to make them surmountable.

Jay Bahadur Shah, Jajarkot

Immigration

I am sad to learn that Nepal’s tourism business may be hit hard by the devastating earthquake of April 25. The Nepal immigration department has a rule of not allowing tourists to stay for more than 150 days in a given year. This policy does not encourage travellers to visit Nepal. One of the main engines of Nepal’s economy is tourism. Does it hurt Nepal’s economy if the tourists stay in the country for more than 150 days? Does it help Nepal, keeping these tourists out of the country given that the frequent earthquakes and aftershocks have sent most tourists back to their country?

As a tourist, I contribute to Nepal’s economy by spending the dollars that I earn, and it will create jobs. This law should be re-examined and changed for the best interest of the country.

Jauhar Hashmi, via e-mail