Devolution of power:

This refers to Lok Raj Baral’s write-up “The way ahead” (THT, August 23). The author makes some general recommendations such as physical redesigning, freedom from inherited mindset, indoctrination in participatory political culture for the transformation of the

existing feudal order.

As the government is in the process of drafting an interim constitution, Baral should have suggested some concrete measures that would make this statute work better than the 1990 Constitution. The coordinator of Interim Constitution Drafting Committee, Laxman Aryal, should keep in mind that the across-the-board lack of accountability of the elected politicians wrecked almost every sector in the country. The new constitution, therefore, must provide for devolution of responsibilities to the stakeholders, which in turn, will ensure all the three

crucial features of good governance — participation, transparency and accountability — are

included.

Bihari Krishna Shrestha, Lalitpur

Unethical :

The fact that Helen Shah received millions for medical treatment was shocking. In 1979, I was dismissed from one of her organisations, Yeti Travels, where I had been working as a tour executive. During my tenure, one of the employees was injured during office hours, but the office didn’t give even a single paisa for his treatment. Employees of Yeti Travels and Annapurna Hotel, both belonging to Shah, had to collect donations for his treatment.

We demanded that the management set up provident fund and give medical allowances to the staffers. The management accused me of instigating the discontent, for which I was summarily fired. In my dismissal letter, I was informed that I had “ignored” the royalty and used unhealthy language.

On what ethical grounds can Shah take such a big sum for treatment against this background?

Rajendra Gurbacharya, New Baneshwor

Imprudent :

The Nepal Oil Corporation’s outstanding dues to its Indian counterpart have exceeded Rs. 8.8 billion. Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi clarified that NOC would have to pay Rs. 1 billion within a few days, and hence the government had to hike the price of petro-products. The public would have accepted it only if they had been convinced that the hike had entirely been made necessary by the oil price rise in the international

market. But that was not done. The rise in oil prices triggers the rise in the general price level.

In his letter “Oil pricing” (THT, August 24), Steven William Pitts suggested that the government increase the price of petrol to twice its present level while not increasing the price of diesel and other fuels. He argued that those who can own a petrol-powered vehicle can also pay for the extra cost. But what about taxi fare? Petrol and diesel are used not only for transportation. Better pricing decisions are called for.

Shyam Lama, via e-mail

More on IT :

THT is undoubtedly Nepal’s Number One English daily. It is likely to become even more popular if IT receives enough regular coverage, daily or weekly.

Dipal SJB Rana, via e-mail