Federal structure

This refers to Bishwambher Pyakuryal’s article “Federal democracy” (THT, April 17). The provision of federal states based only on political aspects without considering economic aspects will lead us nowhere. The impact of decentralisation may not be always good if policies do not cover a diversified population. To ensure this, the following issues need to be considered.

Variances between the countries which have implemented decentralisation based on a federal structure have to be studied; fiscal equity and participatory democracy should be guaranteed; policies have to be put in place to reduce deficits at local levels, promote equitable distribution of available resources between federal states and attract FDI to sectors where it is needed the most.

There should be greater public participation in debates on important issues. Further, for proper institutionalisation of democracy, the rule of law should prevail. Moreover, civil society and social classes should be allowed to submit their drafts in the parliament without the help of political parties. There should also be a provision for referendum on vital questions.

Kamal Poudel, TU

Good cause

I was excited to read that the Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) is planning to clean the Bagmati river. The main cause of pollution of these rivers is the direct dumping of human excreta into them. Instead, if the night soil produced in the Valley (estimated at 600, 000 to 100, 000 lakh kg per day) could be used to generate cooking gas, thus sharply reducing dependence on the import of LPG from India. The by-product of the cooking-gas plant could also be used to produce fertilisers. The YCL should consider idea.

Ravi Manandhar, Kathmandu

Reservation

The government seems to be high on rhetoric but short on implementation. It has guaranteed 33 per cent representation for women at all levels of governance, but at present, only two of 22 ministers are women. The fact that many women have not shown interest in politics is also to blame. The women should put more pressure on the government to honour its commitment.

Dwaipayan Regmi, Biratnagar

Unsafe

Apropos of the news report “Locals fail to put up Bisket Jatra lingo” (THT, April 15), the lingo, along with its supporting structures, requires careful designing and certification in line with proper engineering standards. This is a serious issue. If something goes wrong and someone gets seriously hurt, the designers can be held responsible. An insurance cover will also be helpful in case any accident happens.

Jaya Koirala, via e-mail

Saddening

Alan Johnston, the long-serving BBC Gaza correspondent, has gone missing for a month now. There are unconfirmed reports that he has been murdered. If the reports are true, it will be a loss to international journalism, not only to the BBC and the UK. This highlights the dangers journalists face doing their duty to bring out the truth.

Shiva Neupane, Golfutar