Power paucity

The Ford Foundation had sponsored a multiple research in India in the 60s that suggested solutions to meet the growing demand for energy and food in the 21st century. The findings of the research project could still be extremely useful for the National Planning Commission (NPC) in view of the current power emergency we face.

Unfortunately, the NPC has never been known to recommend to the government innovative ways to deal with the many challenges that we face at present. The energy crisis is an indicator of the total failure of the Commission.

The use of solar heaters in the cities has been extremely successful. The use of solar power could be encouraged by announcing zero-tax on the manufacturing of solar heaters. Big hotels

could use candles with the exception of the elevators. I am of the opinion that such an

innovative policy might attract more tourists and also encourage candle manufacturers. On its

part, the Nepal Electricity Authority could start selling long lasting less-power-consuming CFL bulbs.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Blame

Nepalis put their faith in the Nepali Congress (NC) and its leadership for years since 1990. People had expected that the NC was capable of driving the nation in the right direction. However, the current power shortage and the severe shortage of drinking water, among so many other problems facing Nepalis, can all be attributed to the incompetence of successive NC administrations. The NC leaders must stop playing political superiors to the present coalition government and should instead extend full cooperation in drafting the constitution.

Otherwise, this kind of political one-upmanship will only alienate the people from the NC.

Ramesh Shrestha, Lalitpur

Apologise

Apropos of the news report “TMDP threatens fresh agitation” (THT, Dec. 21), the remarks of TMDP hairman Mahanta Thakur that there cannot be one Nepal if there is no one Madhesh province is highly condemnable. Firstly, it is up to the Constituent Assembly, of which Thakur is a member, to determine the federal structure of the federal democratic republic of Nepal. Secondly, Nepal, as is mentioned in the Constitution, is indivisible and cannot be split up to create new autonomous states. Disintegration of Nepal would not be acceptable to any Nepali.

Thakur needs to publicly apologise for his irresponsible statement.

Rabin Gautam, via e-mail

Prove it

This is in reference to the news report “Himalmedia staff, editors beaten up” (THT, Dec. 22). There is a general impression that the Maoists often counter criticisms against them with violence. The attack on Himalmedia is not only a testimony to their authoritarian ways but also a serious blow to the spirit of press freedom. What has become more worrisome is that even after joining peaceful politics, acts of hooliganism continue.

After the attack, Maoist spokesperson Dinanath Sharma said that his party had “no policy to attack the media”. If his statement is sincere, spokesperson Dinanath should prove that the attack was not carried out by his party cadres.

Subin Chhetri, Sitapaila