Courting disaster

The news report “Lobbying on to bring back Bikram tempos” (THT, June 2) raises a serious environmental issue. Why is the government thinking about bringing these tempos back to the Valley? Is the government not aware of the past consequences of plying these tempos in the capital? Do the businessmen lobbying for this measure realise that they live in the same polluted city? It’s really sad that government actions are often dictated by a handful of selfish business houses. The capital’s roads are already saturated with vehicles and the air is highly polluted. Instead of bringing in better measures to improve the environment, the government is thinking about polluting it even more. This shows how low people can stoop for a few bucks.

Vimal Thapa, Maligaon

A pawn

The CIAA has said that “it will be taking some major decisions on the Rayamajhi Commission’s report within the next 15 days” (“CIAA head hints at action against ‘kingpins’ soon”, THT, May 30). The CIAA, which is currently without the chief commissioner, has become a tool in the hands of incumbent governments. This is why NC leaders were prosecuted during the royal regime, and it seems the royalists will meet the same fate now. But are the royalists the only ones who have abused authority and are corrupt? What about those behind 42 deaths during the recent Tarai riots? The CIAA has lost its relevance.

Dr Pravin Rajbahak, Birgunj

Mockery

Many criminals and bank defaulters have got away because of the loopholes in our legal system. This has weakened the rule of law. The government, lawmakers, lawyers’ bodies and NGOs working for good governance should become more serious about the present state of lawlessness. They must set up a joint task force and come up with recommendations for strong punitive measures so that the country’s laws can be implemented effectively.

Ramesh B Shrestha, Lalitpur

Tarai groups

Despite the government’s best efforts, petty political groups in the Tarai are succeeding in disrupting the peace process. Taking part in destructive activities is no way to demand one’s rights. Those who think they are aggrieved parties should look for more peaceful ways to voice their grievances. On the other hand, if these factions seek nothing but anarchy and chaos, they should be stopped at all costs. Otherwise, it would be impossible to hold free and fair CA polls.

Prakash Sparsa, Jhiljhile, Jhapa

Weak Deuba

Judging by the recent comments of NC-D president Sher Bahadur Deuba it is quite evident that he is more interested in imposing himself on the parent party than on the actual unification process. His frequent complaint about PM Koirala’s indifference only shows that he is a weak leader who wants to ride on Koirala’s shoulders for he does not enjoy grassroots support within the party. Deuba was the man who asked the King to dissolve the parliament and declare an “emergency” — just because he was afraid of losing his post. Men of such weak moral fibre do not deserve to be called leaders.

Prem Sarki, via e-mail