Long road ahead

The long wait of all Nepalis will finally end today when Nepal is declared a federal republic by the first meeting of Constituent Assembly. Yet, so many uncertainties lie ahead. What kind of

government will be formed? More importantly, will the CA-drafted constitution be truly inclusive as the political leaders have been promising? Even in the CA, there is inadequate

representation of women, dalits and janajatis. It is shameful that the big political parties are dividing up the 26 seats originally set aside for distinguished members of the civil society and constitutional experts among themselves.

There has always been a huge gap between what Nepali leaders promise and what they deliver.

How will the future government be any different? Will the youth get their due share along with other marginalised groups in major government bodies? The idea of federalism will also be hard to implement, particularly if the Tarai parties stick to their demand of one Madhesh. There are many other contentious issues that will be hard to sort out. Nepalis are sitting with their fingers crossed, pondering if the government of New Nepal will honour the mandate of the April Revolution.

Janak Jha, via e-mail

Why not?

Recently, a private TV station reported about the production of cooking gas from night soil in Kailali district. I do not see why the highly educated biotechnologists of Katmandu should not follow suit. The estimated production of one million kg of night soil per day in Kathmandu would be a very reliable perennial source of cooking gas. The use of night soil for the production of cooking gas would also stop the pollution of the river system in the Valley.

River water could be biotechnologically purified and all the rivers could be converted into drinking water storages by building a dam at the Chovar Gorge. If Nepalis could clean the

Bagmati River in the next five years, it will be a promising start for the New Nepal.

R Sayami, Kathmandu

Unhelpful

As regards the news report “New govt unlikely for another week”, (THT, May 27), I believe Sher Bahadur Deuba only helps prolong the period of uncertainty when he says the CPN-Maoist should not be allowed to head the new government. The time for such arguments is over. Time is ripe for a consensus government, precisely what Nepali people want. No politician should make statements likely to harm this all-important task.

Ranjana, via e-mail

Impunity

It was astonishing to read that 256 people were killed between mid-April 2007 and mid-April 2008, “NHRC paints a grim rights scene” (THT, May 27). Despite the end to Maoist insurgency,

the spate of violence goes unabated across Nepal.

Tellingly, the security forces killed 187 persons, while the CPN-Maoist was responsible for 53 deaths. These data are grim reminders that the state of impunity still reigns supreme in Nepal despite all the peace agreements and presence of former rebels in the government. In this climate, the new government will have a very tough job maintaining law and order.

Harihar Sapkota, Dudhpokhari