Wrong priorities

This concerns the news report “Severe fuel crisis looms large” (THT, May 7). The latest fuel crisis is a harbinger of a disaster waiting to happen. Nepal cannot afford such heavy subsidies on petro-products for a long time.

There is no other way out except to hike the price of petroleum — whether this or that group likes it or not. I fail to understand how even the educated people do not grasp the basics of modern economics.

Nepal has a limited budget, more than half of which comes from international donors. The money received is barely enough to meet people’s basic needs like food, water and electricity. Even as I write, hundreds of thousands of Nepalis are starving in Nepal,

particularly in remote areas, but the government is subsidising petroleum products.

Subsidies do no one any good in the long run. The common citizens who might now be happy to enjoy the most heavily subsidised petroleum in the world might have to pay through their noses in increased taxes in the future. Let the authorities concerned keep the bigger picture in mind while deciding on the fuel price.

Suman Dahal, via e-mail

Out of here

The Maoists believe that the job of UNMIN is over and for once, they are right. UNMIN has no justification, besides ensuring constant income for its employees, for continuing its operations

in Nepal.

The Maoists have been disarmed, the CA election has been conducted peacefully and a new,

democratic government that has people’s mandate will soon be in place. I cannot think of any major duty that is left for UNMIN.

Integration of PLA with NA is a purely domestic matter to be sorted out among Nepali people. Let Nepalis take the peace process forward from here.

Ramesh Kuinkel, Satdobato

Surrender

I wonder what will become of the armed outfits in Tarai that have refused to put down their arms even when Nepali people have clearly shown their dislike of violence through their

overwhelming participation in the CA polls.

The major Tarai-based parties like MJF and TMDP have themselves admitted that the election was free and fair and expressed the will of the Madhesi people. There is no justification for the gun-totters to continue to make life difficult in the Tarai.

Sarad Pradhan, via e-mail

Bury grudges

I would like to urge all the major political parties to join hands in building a New Nepal. This is no time for petty wrangling but a time to bury all the past grudges in order to ensure the country’s peace and prosperity. I wonder why the left-leaning parties are having such a tough time settling their differences.

The CPN-UML had to pay a huge price refusing Maoist offer of cooperation in the lead-up to CA polls. The CPN-UML should join the government and help Maoists bridge the gap between guerrilla politics and mainstream polity.

The two parties could be comrades in arms if they so choose. I call upon all the political parties not to repeat their past mistakes and work together for the betterment of the country.

Nikesh Shah, Birgunj