A mountain of questions

For how long should our ruling politicians be tested? And who subjects them to the test? What criteria determines whether they have become successful or not? What qualifications does one need to become a minister? Do politicians need to possess some knowledge or skills as well for landing ministerial berths? Should we entrust those who merely make noise and cover up their mistakes? Shouldn’t we give opportunities to ethical and competent politicians? Are positions of power only for wealthy individuals or also for capable people from all walks of life? It’s but natural for a conscious citizenry to ask these and similar other questions to the rulers, including politicians and bureaucrats. On questions like these, experts, consultants, civil society groups, human rights advocates and consumer rights activists should also come clean. Politicians and bureaucrats are under increased public scrutiny in Nepal also but the latter seem pretty much unfazed, perhaps confident that they can get away with anything.

In several other countries, ministers and prime ministers resign even over things we may take for granted. But their Nepali counterparts continue to pursue their petty interests instead of resigning even after the dereliction of duty.

The series of questions does not end here. Why is no action taken even when development plans and projects miss original and extended deadlines for completion? Why do leaders give opportunities to their own associates at the expense of more deserving candidates? And why do they continue to protect them even when they fail to deliver on their promises? Why do the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and other government agencies remain silent even when corruption is rife? Why aren’t relevant authorities or individuals held accountable for human rights violations? Why does the government turn a deaf ear to public concerns? Why aren’t traders and service providers punished for fleecing the consumer? Why can’t passengers or regulatory agencies challenge the transporters for charging exorbitant fares? Why doesn't the government provide quality education to students? Why is it producing an unskilled workforce by investing billions in education? And why are hundreds of students seeking education abroad even when Nepal has fairly good educational institutions? Why are the youth fleeing the country, feeling that they cannot achieve anything in life here? Why are there so many potholes on the road? The questions are coming from near and afar. Why has table salt become a luxury for the people of Karnali? Why is it so difficult to get? Drought conditions have forced people to leave their dear villages in the Koshi region. Why is a region known for abundant water resources suffering from drought? Why are hospitals outside the capital lacking facilities, forcing people to travel to the capital for medical treatment, which is time-consuming and costly as well? Why are the capital’s hospitals always crowded? Why do patients not get better even after receiving treatment? Why can't the government ensure the peoples a good education and a healthy environment even after subjecting them to all sorts of taxes? Why is there inequality in government services? Why don't leaders go to the villages and provide services after getting elected, instead of only asking for votes every five years? There is a mountain of questions, and the questions keep piling up. These questions point to myriad problems we face. The failure on the part of the state to resolve these problems will cost the country and the people dear. These questions should inspire some serious thinking on the part of the government, which seems ill-prepared to deal with them, what with the lack of proper plans and policies. What’s more, the government does not appear to have institutional capacity to implement whatever plans and policies it has formulated. With the adoption of federalism, people had hoped to find the government at their doorsteps, literally. Three tiers of government (totalling 761 in number) have failed to make decisions on time, ensure speedy service delivery, make the country stronger and exude optimism among the people by bringing peace, delivering justice and the bounties of development. Sooner than later, our rulers will have to stand ready to answer a bevy of questions like these from the public. They better get prepared before it’s too late.