CPN-UML’s eroding image:

It was surprising to learn that the CPN-UML’s general secretary, Madhav Kumar Nepal, has claimed that he and his party was not informed about the government’s decision to hike the price of the petroleum products. How can the public believe his statement when his own party is in the government? Recently, ministers raised their salaries by about Rs 8000 in the name of house rent. When journalists asked Nepal about the government’s decision regarding this, he had said that he did not know about that, as CPN-UML ministers serving in the cabinet did not inform the party. Now, he has the same answer about the recent hike in petroleum products. The general secretary should wake up to the reality and instead of running away from his responsibilities, his party must ask its ministers about the performance and decisions of the government. If the party and its general secretary remain indifferent to the problems of the commoners, the CPN-UML should seriously think about replacing its chief by someone who at least does not give lame excuses to cover up his own faults. If the party wants some success in the next election whenever it takes place, the least comrade Nepal could do is to take positive steps to enhance the image of the country’s largest communist party.

Anish Pyakurel, via e-mail

Tourism:

It is sad that tourism industry is gradually declining in Nepal. It has long been a major source of income. The revelation that Nepal now occupies 27th place in a list prepared by a relatively well-known international tourism agency shows that the sector has been hard-hit by the on-going insurgency. It was clear from the beginning that tourism ratings would take a nosedive sooner or later, after the Maoists started asking for surcharge from tourists in remote areas of the country. The government should now seriously focus on restoring peace. Devising a policy to merely uplift the tourism sector in these troubled times would make little sense. The answer lies in devising a coordinated policy to first restore peace. Thereafter, the Nepal Tourism Board can come up with pragmatic steps to boost the sagging morale of the tourism sector.

Bimal Rai, Kathmandu

No violence:

Due to the recent price hike of the petroleum products, many people, especially the students, have taken to the streets for protest. It is indeed unfortunate that the government had to make this decision that directly affects the lives of the people. While such a decision should be condemned from all sides, I disagree with the manner in which these protests are being held to oppose the government’s decision. In the name of protesting for the public’s good and while voicing people’s concerns, the students are burning tyres, disrupting traffic and engaging in violence. This is actually affecting the very people for whose sake the protest rallies are being organised. There would have been a much greater public participation in the on-going protests had the protests been organised in a much better, non-violent way. It seems that the agitating political parties have taken this opportunity only to criticise the government.

Shouting irrelevant and derogatory slogans in the name of protest against price hike is not going to help the public at all. The protesting bodies and political parties should come up with a better strategy to voice the people’s grievances.

Saurav R Tuladhar, via e-mail