Justify with action

Though the government recently reduced the price of petroleum products, the revision is not consistent with global price-fixing practices. It is not our concern whether the NOC will be able to repay its debts.

After all, why should we consumers be forced to bear the brunt when the massive losses are a result of the mismanagement and inefficiency of the NOC? Moreover, oil prices have been considerably reduced in India. As we purchase oil from India, the government must revise the prices accordingly. This will not only provide great relief to the consumers, but will also prevent oil smuggling from across the border. Our government professes to be dedicated to the people’s welfare, it is time it justified words with action.

Dil Maya Pradhan,

Dillibazaar Kanya Campus, Kathmandu

Get well

The news that NC president and former prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been hospitalised has worried many Nepalis who believe that he played a vital role throughout his political career, particularly the holding of the historic Constituent Assembly election. It is agreed that Koirala, now over 85, is still active but his health requires greater attention. The way he has been touring various parts of the country may have added strain to his body.

The good wishes of the people remain with him, and it is hoped he will fully recover soon. This is an hour when the country needs him most, as the task of writing the new constitution is getting delayed because of the tactics of the parties that are represented in the

coalition government.

Despite being in the opposition, the Nepali Congress has to work with greater responsibility. I

expect more healthy criticism from the NC which has always been at the forefront of every

pro-democracy movement in the country.

Harihar Neupane, Kalanki, Kathmandu

Act now

It was shocking to hear Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai comment that global

recession would have little effect on our economy. I wonder whether Bhattarai is aware that thousands of Nepalis working abroad are on the verge of losing their jobs.

This would definitely force them to return home.

This would deal a severe blow to the country’s economy, which is largely supported by remittances from abroad.

Minister Bhattarai needs to come out of his cloud-cuckoo land and take immediate measures to cushion the blow of global financial crisis.

Ashish Singh, Kathmandu

In bad health

Senior doctors at the state-owned Bir Hospital have resigned after the failure of the hospital to function smoothly. In fact, the failures of state-owned institutions have proved that they are a huge waste of the taxpayers’ money. I believe that the vision of the state-sponsored free education and free medical service is a bit too ambitious and impractical. The

government should instead concentrate on ways to generate employment opportunities.

Employment would automatically enable people to take care of their medical and educational needs.

D B Sayami, Kathmandu