Good borrowers :

Wilful defaulters are in the news these days. There is little doubt that action must be taken against them. But what about the entrepreneurs who regularly pay interest? Why are they not in the limelight? Why aren’t these honest borrowers not given facilities like reduction in interest rates?

Many borrowers have milked the Nepal Bank Ltd, Rastriya Banijya Bank and Agricultural Development Bank, and as a result, the non-performing assets of these banks run into billions. To improve the situation, there should be no political appointments to the top posts in these institutions. Rather, they should be filled through free competition for a period of four years, so that the top management teams do not change with a change in government.

This stability will help the management by giving it enough time for the formulation of plans and their implementation. If the corporations fail to make a reasonable profit, the top management should be held responsible.

Ramesh Neupane,

Mahankal

Resume talks :

It is mysterious that the government has not resumed negotiations with the Maoists.

There cannot be a valid reason for the delay when both sides have agreed to hold the constituent assembly elections. Interim arrangements should pose no problems if both sides act with sincerity. Undue delays can wear out the people’s patience and reduce goodwill for both sides.

This is likely to cause the breakdown of the peace process.

Ishwari Pradhan, via e-mail

Tales of woe :

The Bhutanese refugees are worried about how the Koirala government may approach the refugee issue. Though most of the refugees are qualified they cannot utilise their knowledge in their camps. The government should either give them jobs or work towards their prompt repatriation.

The Bhutanese government has been hindering the refugees’ repatriation by putting afloat false stories about them.

The third country settlement is not a bad idea. Wherever these refugees go, they will promote their language and culture.

Thousands of Nepalis continue to face social discrimination and live under the dictatorial Bhutanese regime. Only the creation of a democratic set-up in Bhutan can guarantee the human rights of these suffering people in Bhutan.

Khem Regmi, Pathari Refugee Camp

Ugly sight :

The roads in Kathmandu are in a bad shape. There are few exceptions like King’s Way. The sight of the roads is also marred by children begging in New Road, Putalisadak, Durbar Marg and Thamel. These children use the money to buy cigarettes and glue.

People ask for money on all kinds of pretexts. While some display their festering wounds, others sit by the roadside holding small babies. Why doesn’t Kathmandu Metropolitan City do something about them? But why only blame these poor people? The so-called ‘civilised’ people also dump construction materials like bricks, iron rods and sand by the roadside, thus obstructing traffic. Is there nobody to take care of this problem?

Monisha Adhikari,

via e-mail