Power Points
At a time when the country has been passing through a severe load shedding hitting the overall economy, the cover story Power Cuts Stunted Growth (January 23-29) rightly pointed out how it will affect the economy of the country. It is unfortunate to say that the concerned authorities are yet to take this issue seriously. Instead of spending valuable time to make populist pronouncements, it is better to do concrete works so that the power crisis can be addressed. I hope that the new government led by Maoist leader Prachanda, who had asked to destroy all the infrastructures including the power houses in the past, will soon bring positive changes.
Gorakh K.C.
Sanepa
No Measure
It is very frustrating to know that the government is yet to announce any measure to cope with the severe load shedding. With the announcement of load shedding of about 16 hours a day, most of the industries have already been shut down and remaining few are also in the process of closure. As the Maoist government's finance minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai forecast that his government will increase 7 percent GDP this year, the load shedding paralyzed the industrial sector. Instead of making such impossible comments, the government should encourage the private sector to invest in hydropower by bringing business friendly policies. As the industries and businesses struggle to operate due to energy scarcity, no one can believe that the GDP growth rate would cross 7 percent. The government must concentrate its efforts to install some power projects.
Rupa Sigdel
Via- email
Power Debacle
With the debacle of Arun III project in 1995, the reasonable persons had predicted then that the country's future power crisis will have crippling effect on the economy. However, anti-Arun group did not spare any time to criticize such persons as agents of big projects. At the cost of Nepal's interest, the anti-Arun III group prevailed and the project was aborted. Some persons involved in anti-Arun III campaigns are now occupying very high positions in INGOs and NGOs and one of them even became a minister and another person is now waiting to acquire Permanent Residency in United Kingdom. Nobody seems to regret over their past role looking at the present power crisis. Had Arun III been constructed, the country would not have to face the severe power crisis and the country's industrialization process would have taken a new turn.
Samir Shrestha
Via Email, USA
Paswan's Points
It was very interesting to read the interview of new Constituent Assembly member Bishwendra Paswan. I agree with him that he actually defeated the veteran communist leader Madhav Kumar Nepal in the election. Had the election been held on the basis of voting, the situation would have been different. The conspicuous absence of two main leaders prime minister Prachanda and Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala showed that Nepal is not their own candidate. Although Paswan is a dalit, his vision and words showed that he is politically more mature than any leader of upper class. I would like to congratulate Paswan for showing such a courage by contesting the elections with veteran communist leader and upper class Brahmin Nepal for the position of the chairman of Constitution Committee.
Srijana Pariyar
Via email
Election Expose
The leaders of main stream political parties were badly exposed in the election of Constitution Committee. All the leaders who always preached that they fight for the cause of Dalits and oppressed voted against a Dalit candidate. Although the political leaders of new Nepal boasted that they believe in the equality and fraternity, they practice exactly opposite. When Indian political leaders accepted a Dalit constitution committee chief, what was wrong with Nepalese leaders to accept similar person like Paswan in Nepal. I think it is the mentality of political leaders which matters the most.
Surendra Gadal
Via email
Hit By Load Shedding
Like others, the severe load shedding has even hit the publication of Spotlight Newsmagazine. I understand the constraints and difficulties in bringing out objective and impartial newsmagazine like Spotlight which does not take any side. Along with the financial constraints, the load shedding too has hit it badly. I hope Spotlight will resume publishing weekly at the soonest.
Sonam Lama
Via Email
London
