Apropos of the news story “CAAN spends Rs.80 million for lighting Dhangadi airport runway” (THT, June 18, Page 1), I came to know about the haphazard expenditure of CAAN in lighting the airport runway. It is because of the selfish, money-minded and greedy officials. The country’s image is not that good in the global aviation scenario. It has proved that CAAN officials have invested huge amounts of money without an assessment of the cost, feasibility and sustainability. The installation of the advanced runway lights costs CAAN a lot, yet it hasn’t been fully utilized as there is only one flight a day. Half of the life of those installed lights has ended within a short period of time, and CAAN officials seem to have turned a blind eye to the case and aren’t seeking guarantee for the supplier. They could have invested the amount to upgrade other busy airports like Lukla and Simara. CAAN could have utilized the money in upgrading the security system in the TIA.

Regarding the cases of Ebola virus and Middle East Respiratory System (MERS), CAAN could have set up an advanced health desk at the TIA. The health desk could have been set up at the only international airport to control the Ebola virus and MERS that has left scores of people affected in South Korea.

Prabin Dhungel, via e-mail

Shameful

It is really disgusting to hear a Constituent Assembly (CA) member and former law minister accused of indulging in domestic violence against his wife for not bringing dowry, as the news story suggests, “Wife accuses lawmaker of domestic violence” (THT, June 19, Page 2). It is very shameful to learn that a well-educated politician like him who is supposed to lead the country has committed this despicable act punishable by law. Lawmakers are the people who make laws banning the traditional dowry system, but some of them are the front runners in demanding handsome amounts of dowry.

This is a centuries-old practice that has taken roots in the traditional society in Tarai-Madhes where married women commit suicide or get killed for not being able to bring the dowry as demanded by their husbands. The more well-educated the bridegroom is, the higher the price of dowry is. If the bride fails to bring dowry from her parents the in-laws resort to mental and physical torture against her. These days even women from mostly traditional society have come forward to lodge

complaints against the demand for dowry. It is positive that women are coming out of the four walls challenging male chauvinism. The urgent need of the hour is to take prompt action against those who misbehave with their wife.

Nobody should be spared however high he or she may be in power and position. If proved to be guilty of indulging in

domestic violence in the name of dowry, a lawmaker deserves more punishment for violating the law that he helped draft on banning the dowry system.

Chandan Kumar Shah, Kathmandu