By Babbler

Milk farmers across the country are unable to receive payment for their supply of milk to the government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). Meanwhile, DDC staffers receive one litre of milk daily and one litre of ghee monthly free of cost. The milk farmers have not been paid for more than six months and have been compelled to stage demonstrations in the streets.

The DDC is a government-invested corporation established to support milk farmers. It was profitable during the Panchayat system. However, with the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1990, not only the DDC but all government-owned companies became recruitment centers for political parties. Today, to get a job in such enterprises, one must pay a commission in advance to the concerned ministers and political leaders. Those who get appointed after paying such commissions try to recover the amount by any means necessary. This shows how corruption and commission culture have been institutionalized in Nepal.

Political leaders preach socialism but exploit farmers while feeding their own children, relatives, and party workers. In Nepal, farmers are the most exploited community. Though Nepal is said to be an agricultural country, due to the corrupt mentality of its political leaders, the nation is now dependent on imported agricultural products.

Embossed Number Plates and Nepali Culture

The government has failed to issue driving licenses even after years of collecting money from service recipients. Meanwhile, it has made embossed number plates mandatory. This seems to be a new tactic by cunning and corrupt political gangs to collect money.

How long must we wait to get embossed number plates?

This Babbler expresses strong dissatisfaction and objection to the government's decision to distribute embossed number plates in English. In many countries, such plates are printed in the national language. Isn’t this a deliberate attempt by those who want to replace our national language with English? There is significant foreign investment in Nepal aimed at destroying Nepali identity, culture, tradition, and religion. The leaders of major political parties have now clearly become agents of these foreign forces.

Private vs Public Schools

The government is trying to introduce a new law in the education sector. It has decided to bring all private schools under a Guthi-like system. In opposition to this decision, private school owners have launched protests and are pressuring the government to withdraw the proposal.

It is true that private schools and hospitals are exploiting citizens. However, if the government — especially local bodies — focuses on operating community schools and hospitals that provide quality education and healthcare in every ward of Kathmandu and every municipality outside the capital, people will no longer need to depend on private institutions.

First and foremost, the leaders and society must be committed to making this happen.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Lipulekh–Kalapani is Nepal’s territory. Nepal and India must resolve the issue on the basis of historical facts. However, it is unfortunate that China entered into an agreement with India to open a trade route through this Nepalese territory. China needs to correct its position on this matter.

Surya Raj Acharya

Apple from Jumla has come to the market. Let us use indigenously produced fruits, vegetables, cereals, and all kinds of indigenous products, including apples, and encourage indigenous production.

Rajendra Lingden

India doesn’t have any document to prove that the Kalapani territory belongs to it. However, we have all the evidence that this territory belongs to us.

Bamdev Gautam

The historical trade trend between Nepal and Tibet has now changed. Earlier, goods were exported and imported to and from Tibet. Now, goods are only being imported from Tibet but not exported.

Sonam (local resident in Nepal-China border)

The embossed number plate is introduced to feed brokers. What will be the benefit to the general public? When you buy a car, you have to pay tax and again tax, and renewal fees every year! This government has been formed just to facilitate those brokers.

Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh

Mahendra's reign was a kind of moral incomparable to the foreign fugitives of today. He was not a tyrant like the foreign fugitives of today, nor was he an autocrat like them. He never tried to prolong the rule in the blood of class, caste and religion.

Bharat Dahal

Unnecessary hassles for ordinary citizens have become a waste of extra expense and time. The possibility of corruption has increased. The Nepali language is written. Therefore, the embedded number should be in Nepali script. It should be citizen friendly, transparent and easy. In making such decisions, the public should have adequate consultation with the parties.

Forceful imposition of the embossed number plate unnecessary hassle for ordinary citizens, has become a waste of extra expense and time. The possibility of corruption has increased. The Nepali language is written. Therefore, the embedded number should be in Nepali script. It should be citizen friendly, transparent and easy. In making such decisions, the public should have adequate consultation with the parties.

Niranjan Thapa

Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha.

By Babbler

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Milk farmers across the country are unable to receive payment for their supply of milk to the government-owned Dairy Development Corporation (DDC). Meanwhile, DDC staffers receive one litre of milk daily and one litre of ghee monthly free of cost. The milk farmers have not been paid for more than six months and have been compelled to stage demonstrations in the streets.

The DDC is a government-invested corporation established to support milk farmers. It was profitable during the Panchayat system. However, with the introduction of multiparty democracy in 1990, not only the DDC but all government-owned companies became recruitment centers for political parties. Today, to get a job in such enterprises, one must pay a commission in advance to the concerned ministers and political leaders. Those who get appointed after paying such commissions try to recover the amount by any means necessary. This shows how corruption and commission culture have been institutionalized in Nepal.

Political leaders preach socialism but exploit farmers while feeding their own children, relatives, and party workers. In Nepal, farmers are the most exploited community. Though Nepal is said to be an agricultural country, due to the corrupt mentality of its political leaders, the nation is now dependent on imported agricultural products.

Embossed Number Plates and Nepali Culture

The government has failed to issue driving licenses even after years of collecting money from service recipients. Meanwhile, it has made embossed number plates mandatory. This seems to be a new tactic by cunning and corrupt political gangs to collect money.

How long must we wait to get embossed number plates?

This Babbler expresses strong dissatisfaction and objection to the government's decision to distribute embossed number plates in English. In many countries, such plates are printed in the national language. Isn’t this a deliberate attempt by those who want to replace our national language with English? There is significant foreign investment in Nepal aimed at destroying Nepali identity, culture, tradition, and religion. The leaders of major political parties have now clearly become agents of these foreign forces.

Private vs Public Schools

The government is trying to introduce a new law in the education sector. It has decided to bring all private schools under a Guthi-like system. In opposition to this decision, private school owners have launched protests and are pressuring the government to withdraw the proposal.

It is true that private schools and hospitals are exploiting citizens. However, if the government — especially local bodies — focuses on operating community schools and hospitals that provide quality education and healthcare in every ward of Kathmandu and every municipality outside the capital, people will no longer need to depend on private institutions.

First and foremost, the leaders and society must be committed to making this happen.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Lipulekh–Kalapani is Nepal’s territory. Nepal and India must resolve the issue on the basis of historical facts. However, it is unfortunate that China entered into an agreement with India to open a trade route through this Nepalese territory. China needs to correct its position on this matter.

Surya Raj Acharya

Apple from Jumla has come to the market. Let us use indigenously produced fruits, vegetables, cereals, and all kinds of indigenous products, including apples, and encourage indigenous production.

Rajendra Lingden

India doesn’t have any document to prove that the Kalapani territory belongs to it. However, we have all the evidence that this territory belongs to us.

Bamdev Gautam

The historical trade trend between Nepal and Tibet has now changed. Earlier, goods were exported and imported to and from Tibet. Now, goods are only being imported from Tibet but not exported.

Sonam (local resident in Nepal-China border)

The embossed number plate is introduced to feed brokers. What will be the benefit to the general public? When you buy a car, you have to pay tax and again tax, and renewal fees every year! This government has been formed just to facilitate those brokers.

Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh

Mahendra's reign was a kind of moral incomparable to the foreign fugitives of today. He was not a tyrant like the foreign fugitives of today, nor was he an autocrat like them. He never tried to prolong the rule in the blood of class, caste and religion.

Bharat Dahal

Unnecessary hassles for ordinary citizens have become a waste of extra expense and time. The possibility of corruption has increased. The Nepali language is written. Therefore, the embedded number should be in Nepali script. It should be citizen friendly, transparent and easy. In making such decisions, the public should have adequate consultation with the parties.

Forceful imposition of the embossed number plate unnecessary hassle for ordinary citizens, has become a waste of extra expense and time. The possibility of corruption has increased. The Nepali language is written. Therefore, the embedded number should be in Nepali script. It should be citizen friendly, transparent and easy. In making such decisions, the public should have adequate consultation with the parties.

Niranjan Thapa

Excerpted and translated by Sushma Shrestha.