Upadhyay’s script

Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay rightly pleads for safeguarding of individual and minortiy rights in any polity that subscribes to inclusive democracry, “CA election” (THT, Jan.14). However, for the protection of these principles as well as for demarcating the nature and scope of the federal units to be created, he calls for a political conference so as to settle politcal issues

before CA polls. If such a conference is called, the Constituent Assembly will be reduced to a techno-legal body with no politcal authority whatsoever as mandated by the sovereign people. Furthermore, an ethno-federal state founded on race, religion and language, which Nepal appears to be heading for, portends grave dangers of state collapse, if the centre is weak and the country devoid of a national identity derived from its history. Even more so with the granting of the right to self-determination in any form.

Upadhyay also calls for a referendum at the time of CA polls to deicde the fate of Tharus since they are not Madhesis. One wonders why he forgot the interest of the Muslims who are also not Madhesis. Be that as it may, a referendum should be held on two vital issues at the same time, namley: (a) monarchy or republic and (b) secular or secular Hindu state? In this manner, peace and national reconciliation will be assured permanently and the CA elections will not only be free and fair but also just.

Madhukar SJB Rana, Jawalakhel

Share supply

This refers to the edit page article “Stock market” (THT, Jan. 9) by Bhola Chalise, Dandapani Paudel and Ashish Garg. The authors have rightly pointed out that there is supply-demand

mismatch at the NEPSE. Among many reasons driving the recent bullish trend in the stock market, limited supply in response to increasing demand could be one. However, the issue

requires an in-depth analysis. If we believe the authors’ assumption, we need to find the measures to increase supply.

The Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) alone holds 15 per cent shares of Nepal Investment Bank. Why can’t the authors who hold responsible positions in the RBB help increase the supply by selling RBB ownership in the Nepal Investment Bank?

Gita Pant, Kirtipur

Expensive

Though Mero Mobile has introduced several attractive schemes for its customers, the telecom operator has not been able to lower the cost of calls. It is because of its inability to reduce the cost that most people prefer other service providers. The company has also not been giving due attention to customer care. In order to survive in stiff competition between tele-communication service providers, Mero Mobile should give attention to these areas.

Veena Ghimire, Biratnagar

Irrational

This is in reference to the news report “Job aspirants vent ire on fair venue” (THT, Jan. 13). It is understandable that job seekers who had to travel long distances from every nook and cranny of the country should have felt cheated when organisers allegedly asked for hefty sums for job placement. However, they shouldn’t have turned violent and vented their fury by

vandalising the stalls and pelting stones at Kantipur Publications that had nothing to do with the event.

Ankita Pokharel, via e-mail