Damage control :

Apropos of the news “25,000 flood victims stranded, starving” (THT, August 30), the people of the flood-hit areas aren’t out of the woods yet. Flood-prone regions like Banke and Bardiya should be equipped with resources enough to deal with such disasters.

Post-disaster management is always difficult. But accurate weather forecast plays an important role in reducing the damage. Additional boats are needed to ferry people to safe areas. Besides, the idea of constructing dams should be given serious thought to control the water levels of big rivers.

S P Pandey, Kathmandu

Wrong time :

This refers to the report “Nine road workers crushed under boulder” (THT, August 30). What will happen to the family members of the dead? And why does the government always have to carry out repair works during the rainy season, endangering people’s lives? Now, the least the government could do is provide adequate compensation to the victims’ families.

Sandip Neupane, Balaju

Interesting :

Feizal Samath’s column “Garment industry boom in Lanka” (THT, August 29) made an interesting read. I am currently working for a textile manufacturer in South Korea. Like Sri Lankan textile manufacturers, my company hopes to sell its products not only in Europe but the world over. I think I can utilise my experience here to bring in foreign currency for Nepal.

Mohamed Nisthar,

via e-mail

Extortion :

The Maoists insist that the tax they collect is “voluntary”. Well, I live in Sanepa and on Tuesday, a bunch of armed Maoists made me cough up Rs. 2,000 despite my repeated protests. I found that some of my neighbours had gone through a similar ordeal. The Maoists need to translate their words into action. They should never underestimate the power of the Nepalis who have so far been silent.

Sunil Sharma, Sanepa

Incomplete :

It’s unimaginable that the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee has come up with an incomplete draft statute. The likes of Laxman Prasad Aryal, Sindhunath Pyakurel and Shambhu Thapa have totally failed to draw up a comprehensive statute capable of seeing the

country through these difficult times. The proposals regarding the head of state are ridiculous and objectionable. The other incorporated Articles related to interim government, interim legislature, Maoist army, and state restructuring are also questionable. As far as drafting an interim constitution goes, our judiciary has shown its failure to exercise judicial activism.

Pradeepta Sharma,

Mumbai

Traffic jams :

Traffic rules in the Valley are atrocious. The traffic policemen do little else but talk even as the vehicles whiz past at the green lights. Moreover, the Valley needs to have more overhead bridges, particularly at some of the intersections with the heaviest flow of traffic, to

reduce traffic jams. The authorities should also take action against the cops who show gross neglect of duty.

Prasanna Karki, KU