Englishnews.hamrosansar.net: Last minute hassles | English News ...

11th-04-2012

EDITORIAL
There is reason to be pessimistic as far as the integration of the former Maoist combatants is concerned, because it is becoming more baffling every day with the major party leaders trying to dodge the intricacies. Now, as per the earlier agreement, tomorrow or April 12 is the day that the army integration ought to conclude. But, looking at the way the issue has been taken up, the deadline is bound to be missed as before. It must be a wonder to the populace as to why the army integration conclusion is proving to be so elusive. In fact, the Maoists have always played the delaying game with one or the other demands or hurdles being placed. It seems that whatever obstacle they put in the peace process, the other big parties seem to take it seriously, all because the Maoists are a major stakeholder and the realisation is also there that success cannot be achieved without their support. The other parties had talked of the peace process first, and then the constitution drafting task. This has now been agreed upon by the Maoists, which means that all focus will be on the peace process, after which the constitution-drafting will receive full attention.

Now, comes the crucial exercise. The Maoists seem to have no problem with the Nepali Army (NA) selecting the eligible combatants on its own with the army chief leading the process. But, now the Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (UML) seem to be wary of the move as they feel that here too there could be malicious intentions of the UCPN-Maoist. Dragging the NA, a professional organisation, in all the confusion and controversy is not desirable. This calls for the formation of some sort of a body to select the eligible combatants for entry into the NA, which.will not impact on the professional integrity and dignity of the NA. The NC and the UML want the formation of a Selection Committee, after a meeting of the Special Committee (for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of Maoist Combatants). Now, this will have the backing of the major parties, which would be acceptable to the NA, without it having to take any unsavoury decisions on its own.

One delay after another, with seemingly flimsy demands have just brought us closer to the May 27 deadline, with only 47 days remaining for the constitution to be readied and promulgated. The parties may have agreed to go ahead with the constitution-drafting task once the peace process is concluded with the integration of the Maoist combatants in the army. But, considering the rather slow pace with which the issues regarding the integration are being taken up, valuable time is being wasted. Despite the April 12 cut off date agreed upon, there is nothing to show that the integration genuinely will be initiated on the date. This is a pointer to the hypocrisy practiced by the parties concerned. Herein, the UCPN-M is more to be blamed as it is creating all the obstacles to achieve its vested interests, and the other political forces do not want it to gain the upper hand. Now, even at the last minute, the major parties have not found an agreeable meeting point. This only shows the disinterested manner of resolving the integration issue.

Foul play

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) is providing free petrol and diesel worth millions of rupees to some people, which cannot be justified in any way. The freebies coming from a loss-incurring corporation is gross corruption. Furthermore, at a time when fuel is expensive and hard to get, NOC unabashedly gives free petrol and diesel to its employees. Apparently, the fuel is distributed to some free by the managing director of the corporation using his or her ?discretionary? power, although this is refuted. In any case, this reeks of corruption in high places, and points to the ad hoc decisions that are taken. Ultimately, those who suffer from this are the common folks, who not only have to put up with fuel shortages but also dole out hefty amounts to purchase them.

Thus, if these irregularities were halted in the NOC, the consumers would have to pay less for the fuel, besides regular supply being maintained throughout the year, unlike at present. What is even more disconcerting is that the NOC does not maintain any database of fuel purchase and supply which gives ground to suspect foul play, and the corrupt people enjoy impunity. Himal..

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