More clarity, please

This refers to the news report “Badal queers the integration pitch” (THT, Oct. 18). What could be the new standards for integration of ex-Maoist fighters into Nepal Army which Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’ is talking about?

Will the CPN-Maoist try to take as many Maoist combatants as possible into the Nepal Army under the new scheme? Badal was very vague on the issue of army integration.

But government leaders should clearly explain to the public important issues like integration of Maoist fighters. They should show vision to take the country forward.

Nawaraj Dhakal, via e-mail

A hitch

Apropos of the news report “Finance Minister walks budget talk” (THT, Oct. 18), the government plan to regulate retail sales of alcohol is commendable. Free sale of alcohol has

resulted in various social evils in our society, as even underage people can easily obtain and consume alcohol.

But the provision of having to furnish a citizenship certificate to get alcohol just does not sound right for a citizenship is the most important document that any Nepali can hold. Couldn’t the government issue any other kind of identification for the procurement of alcohol?

I hope a better way is found.

Sumit Maharjan, via e-mail

Flood control

This is in reference to the news report “PM’s prosperity wish for far-west” (THT, Oct. 18). The idea of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to improve the lives of far-west people through an economic revolution is impressive. But before that, he needs to put in order our disaster control mechanisms.

The floods have caused havoc in our country since time immemorial but even so, the government has not been able to take any concrete measure to tackle them. It is ironic that only when floods devastated the livelihoods of a large number people did the leaders come forward with apologies, which again is useless.

Prachanda has said that it was tragic that he had to go to the United States even as most of the Tarai was submerged. Does he mean that his very presence would have saved the victims all the trouble they have been facing. More important is the existence of a

mechanism to tackle calamities like floods and droughts in order to minimise losses.

Shiva Neupane,

Melbourne, Australia.

No parking

Parking of any kind of vehicle is prohibited in the Bhaktapur Durbar Square area. But the fact is that the area is choc-a-block with vehicles any time of the day. Most parked vehicles belong to diplomatic missions in Nepal. People in high position like ambassadors conveniently park their vehicles even in no-parking zones.

Although the government has appointed people to stop the vehicles from entering the heritage zone, they do not seem to be performing their duty. It is also important for the

diplomats to learn about the local traffic rules and regulations. People of Bhaktapur hope that the diplomats will only park their vehicles in designated areas in the future.

Rabin Rachalica,

Green Team, Bhaktapur