Federalism, no cure-all With their decision to implement federalism, Constituent Assembly members have jeopardised the integrity and sovereign status of Nepal. The lawmakers should instead have prioritised inclusion and representation of

marginalised communities into government bodies, thereby bringing an end to all kinds of discrimination that exist in our society. Moreover, the government should crack its whip against corrupt officialdom. The growth of corruption and impunity has made the lives of Nepalis miserable.

Democratic centralism with proportional representation of all marginalised communities would have been a better way to establish peace and harmony in the country. Similarly, the composition of the judges of the Supreme Court should also match the ethnic composition of the country. The government’s failure to maintain inclusiveness and rein in lawlessness, corruption and impunity has given a lie to the political parties’ pre-poll commitment to bring peace and prosperity to the country.

V P Sayami, Kathmandu

Wrong idea

This refers to the news report “Call to appoint tourism attaches” (THT, July 13). Nepal Tourism Board’s plea for appointment of attaches in the US, the UK, Germany, Japan and

Australia is neither judicious, nor has it been made with any foresight. It is necessary that all diplomatic missions abroad be assigned the responsibility of promoting Nepal’s tourism sector. Furthermore, tour operators and travel agents should co-ordinate with their respective sales agents instead of depending on diplomatic missions alone to attract more tourists to Nepal.

Suman Raj Sharma,

Kathmandu

Unabashed

CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist ministers who have resigned from their posts are still

attending public events and ceremonies in the capacity of ministers. Some are even using government funds to make expensive foreign trips, leaving behind a huge backlog

of work in their respective ministries. It is shocking that the government is letting these unaccountable ministers off the hook so easily. A resource-poor country like Nepal cannot afford to have such ministers at this critical juncture of its history.

Sunil Sharma,

Teku, Kathmandu

Learn

Frequent strikes and bandhs called by various political groups, unions and associations have affected normal life throughout the country. Can’t these bodies make themselves heard through other peaceful and non-violent means? A couple of months ago, I joined a student protest rally in Melbourne demanding that the Australian government declare Australia a republican state and address the grievances of the working class.

The students did not resort to vandalism, nor did the government authorities make any

attempt to clamp down on protestors. Instead, the authorities provided heavy police escort for the safety of students. The government should learn from its foreign counterparts and draw up a “code of conduct” for protestors so that bandhs and strikes do not encroach upon the rights of others.

Shiva Neupane, Melbourne