Blocked passage

True to their words, the UCPN (Maoist) legislators gave continuity to stalling the House functions even after the Dashain recess. The House activities have been disrupted for several months, and the Maoists have remained unrelenting, to the discomfiture of all the concerned, by not allowing the House to go ahead smoothly with its business. It has once again brought to the fore the adamant nature of the single largest party represented in the parliament. Such disruptive activities of UCPN (M) will not in any way enhance their image, rather they have to make way for some reasonable compromises that will be in the interest of the people. The present obstruction of the regular business of the Legislature Parliament has come around even as the three major parties have intensified their efforts at finding an amicable formulae to end the political deadlock. What is puzzling is that even with so much time at their disposal no solution has emerged, despite the insistence of the Maoists that they are as flexible as never before. But, this is a mere eye wash that doesn’t see reflection anywhere. Of course, Nepali Congress and the CPN (UML) too have their own stances, but the middle-path has proved rather elusive.

In the meanwhile, the UCPN (Maoist) leaders are never tired of refering to the “decisive third people’s movement” after Tihar. For a party of the stature of UCPN (M), such frightening tactics to get their own illogical moves receive sanction is quite ridiculous and incomprehensible. As a party that has joined the political mainstream, with some achievement to its credit, obstructing the meeting of the representatives of the people cannot be in any way justified. But, the reality is that the nothing is moving, even the statute drafting task is moving at a snail’s pace and some CA committees have not submitted their preliminary drafts. The Maoists seem least bothered about the forward movement of the peace process that has mostly to do with them. When the country is looking forward to the major political parties charting a definitive path, there seems to be no progress except for the disruption of the House and also the streets. This cannot be the picture of loktantra that the Republic of Nepal would want as a way of life for its people. It is but that the petty partisan interests are taking the toll. The various issues could have been sorted out when the new constitution was promulgated.

All the more, with the House stalled, the fate of the budget for the fiscal year 2009/10 lies in a limbo. With only three more weeks to go to get the budget approved, the Maoists are so stubborn on their demands that the matter of national interest is not getting the passage. This all gives a hint to the fact that the UCPN (M) wants to rule the roost with the other parties bowing down in front of them. Of course, the time of competitive politics is yet to begin, but the party is acting in that fashion. There are other ways that the UCPN (M) can go ahead with its agenda through a no-trust motion against the government. As it is not confident of its majority in the parliament, they have obviously resorted to the more convenient method of not letting the House business resume.

Good show

The obscene advertisements on hoarding boards does not smack of decency that the metropolitan landscape ought to depict. There may be some who stoop low in order to sell their products. The big advertisements lined up along roads are not only distractions but encourage unhealthy practices. Most of the hoarding boards advertise alcoholic beverages and various brands of cigarettes. There is no doubt that partaking of alcohol and smoking are injurious to health. Thus, the decision of the government to ban indecent advertisements should be commended. The aesthetic value of advertisements for mass consumption must be given due recognition, not the harmful ones.

Now, after banning such hoarding boards which are obscene, the government should also monitor the print and electronic media for anything that is objectionable. Advertisements are the soul of business ventures, but thoughts should be given for the good of the society as a whole. Banning materials found objectionable would be the desirable thing to do, thereby, protecting the society from degenerating and preventing people from picking up and being addicted to harmful lifestyles.