Let’s combat dengue together
Our estimate is that about 20,000 people have contracted dengue in the country so far this year and a majority of them are from Koshi Province. Almost half of the total patients reside in Sunsari district. The number of dengue patients in the Kathmandu valley is relatively small compared to other districts.
The government has an annual action plan and strategies to deal with outbreaks. Dengue outbreaks typically occur during the June-November period. For prevention and control, the government has accorded top priority to destruction of the mosquitoes’ breeding grounds. Regional and provincial administrations are working hard to raise awareness on dengue. The good news from Dharan (Sunsari district) is that the number of dengue patients has gone down significantly.
For the next two months, the country remains susceptible. Stakeholders should join forces with the Ministry of Health and Population as well as with other parties to combat dengue.
The author is Chief at Vector-borne Disease Control Section, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division
Give peace a chance
The situation in Dharan is volatile at present. A simmering discontent over the naming of Koshi province is also behind it. In a situation like this, brute force does not work nor does logic alone. The majority community should show magnanimity, it should exercise restraint. The situation also calls for a wise use of social media. Rumor-mongering and posting materials related to disturbing incidents won’t help.
Certain vested interests—both within the national borders and beyond—are trying to use this volatility to their advantage, including for political gains, by stoking religious sentiments.
The major onus is on the Nepali state itself to dissipate the situation; mainstream political parties and communities should do their bit to restore normalcy. The parties should help in the state’s efforts to bring back normalcy by mobilizing their cadres. Appeals from the PM and other parties for calm are welcome. All sides should work together for peace.
The author is an historic socialist associated with Martin Chautari
SC went beyond its jurisdiction
I oppose the Supreme Court’s order to halt the implementation of the constituency development fund program. The order smacks of judicial activism and it will eventually weaken the parliamentary system.
The executive, legislature and judiciary should function within their respective limits. When the boundaries blur, democracy will suffer. I have faith in the apex court but the latest order is not principally acceptable. It’s not about Rs 50m, it’s about the order made without comprehending the issue. It’s not the legislature that executes the programs under the fund; it’s the executive. The MPs are just there to facilitate the developmental activities in their respective areas. But the phrasing in the court order implies parliamentary execution.
The parliament has the exclusive right to set the tax rate, allocate/distribute the resources it has and enact laws. The court must comprehend the consequences of such actions. Judicial activism has ended democracy in many countries.
The author is chief whip of Nepali Congress
Dissolve Koshi assembly, conduct fresh polls
Since the Supreme Court previously invalidated the appointment of Uddhav Thapa as Chief Minister of Koshi Province, the court’s judgment was quite clear. Actions prohibited directly are also prohibited indirectly under the law. The act of voting is restricted for the speaker or chair of the House unless it involves a tiebreaker vote.
The speaker must maintain a politically neutral and unbiased stance, other arguments are flawed reasoning. Israil Mansuri, despite not being the elected speaker, should adhere to the speaker’s protocols since he is presiding over the assembly proceedings as the speaker.
In other countries, this situation could lead to legal action as it goes against the system and violates the Constitution.
The only viable solution is to dissolve the Koshi assembly and go for fresh polls, as it appears unlikely for any coalition to form a government. The assembly should not be made hostile for a long time.
The author is constitutional lawyer
