Focus on economy:

This refers to Madhav Shrestha’s article “Constituent Assembly” (THT, Jan. 31). The Constituent Assembly (CA) election seems the only way to improve the nation’s gloomy outlook. The elites need to understand that without curing the economic ills of the country, it is impossible to resolve the existing political crisis permanently. Economic and security issues deserve top priority and the constitution to be prepared by the CA should reflect them.

Rijhan Kumar Yadav, Geruwaha, Siraha

Act, not talk :

Prime Minister G P Koirala’s assurance that the government wants to address the grievances of Madhesis in a democratic manner through dialogue is welcome. Successive governments ignored the voices of the people who felt oppressed. The present unrest in the Terai is a result of this neglect. However, it is still not late for the eight parties to make corrections. Nepal’s secular identity must be maintained by giving everyone equal space in the national polity. But concrete action, not empty rhetoric, is required.

Surya B Prasai, via e-mail

Bewildering:

G P Koirala’s address to the nation on Wednesday was laudable. But on his comment on the Terai demonstrations I didn’t know whether to laugh or sympathise with the ailing PM. While Koirala was urging the Terai protesters to solve the internal problem internally, some government leaders were touring India, cautioning it against cross-border infiltration.

Ashish Jha, New Baneshwor

Cut graft:

This refers to the report “Health ministry seeks 100 pc budget hike” (THT, Jan. 31). Beforethe ministry is granted such a huge hike, effective measures should be taken to reduce excessive corruption and incompetence within the ministry. Otherwise, a mere increase in budget will not benefit the needy much.

Rajan Dongol, Bhaktapur

No conflict:

The agitation in the Terai is not the result of any conflict of interest between the Madhesis and Pahadiyas. Nor have the ‘royalists’ instigated it to delay the Constituent Assembly polls, as some people allege. The Madhesi people are only demanding that their genuine grievances be addressed that had been neglected by successive governments.

Prashant Thakur, via e-mail

Take action :

I have been reading news and views about the mushrooming private schools in Nepal, some of them mistakenly called boarding schools. The teachers in these schools abuse, sometimes even sexually exploit and torture, minor students. For instance, teachers in a school located at Kupandole often harass and torture students. This sorry state of affairs came to light when my own daughter studying at the primary level of the same school complained of the violence. I registered my complaint with the school principal, but to no avail. I urge the government to take stern action against the schools that employ teachers who routinely abuse children.

Stephen A. Roberts, Lalitpur