Listen to the senior citizens

The Himalayan Times

8 April 2014

Listen to the senior citizens

The government’s apathy towards addressing the demands of senior citizens must have by now drawn the attention of all the people as reported in “Agitating elders remind state of promises not kept” (THT, April 7, Page 2). They have been peacefully staging their protest for the last one year in the premises of Department of Transport. It is heard that five members of senior citizen struggle committee have already passed away during this period of one year.

Included in their demands are free medical treatment, separate wards in the hospitals, monthly allowance of 3000/- and 50 per cent discount in public transport fare. They have also demanded subsidy in essential commodities, 50 per cent discount in land and house taxes, drinking water, electricity and phone bills. It does not seem that unnecessary things have been included in their demands. However, whether it is possible to fulfil their demands depends fully upon the government.

Since the government has not shown any interest or indication whether it is ready to listen to their voices, the agitating struggle committee has decided to stage more stern protest in the days to come. The Apex Court had ordered the government and the concerned authorities to implement the policies adopted for the senior citizens in 2010. But, none of the past government bothered to abide by the Apex Court decision. It is really sad to see the government being irresponsible and insensible. Why does not the government sit with the agitating parties and amicably settle the disputes at the soonest possible before the occurrence of any unwanted incidents?

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.

Comments

Who is he?

Biren P. Bangdel (also known as Rai Biren Bangdel ) is a development management consultant, project analyst, and citizen journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal . Professional Profile & Background: Project Executive : He has served as an Executive Director and consultant for organizations like Om Ganeshaya Namah Pvt. Ltd. and Merryknoll Nepal (Asha Deep). He also served as a Campus Director in Weigan and Leigh College .He was Deputy Project Manager in Nepal-Swiss funded Rural Health Development Project and Deputy Team Leader in Nepal-CIDA funded Rural Development Project. Project Expertise : He specializes in managing and monitoring multi-million rupee rural development, healthcare, and educational administration projects across Nepal. His core career history spans executive roles within international non-governmental organizations, bilateral foreign aid bilateral projects , and private management enterprises. Media & Commentary : He is an active blogger, online commen...

2083/84 budget at a glance

2083/84 budget at a glance The Balen led government , which is almost two-thirds majority government secured in the March 2026 elections , has announced its annual budget 2,124.34 billion on May 29, 2026, as the largest budget in Nepal's history, representing a 25.2 present increase over the revised estimates of the current fiscal year 2082/83. Most of the financial experts and economic analysts opine that this budget, although optimistic, has broadly, boldly and wisely covered key and major aspects of the national all round development. Huge tax reforms , massive infrastructure allocations, transformative sectoral policies, 7 percent targets on economic growth and inflation capped at 6 per cent are the key aspects of the highly optimistic budget. This shows a departure from a decade of political instability toward productive governance. It has included first sovereign AI computing centre, doubling of personal income tax exemption thresholds , 21 percent civil servant sal...

Proud to be Gurkhas

King Charles III of the United Kingdom has applauded the formation of King's Gurkha Artillery unit which was formally established in April 2025. The King was greeted with a 21-gun salute at the venue and offered with a large traditional flower garland around his neck. He observed the parade being organised to celebrate the creation of the Army's first dedicated Gurkha Artillery Unit . Over the next three years, 400 Gurkha personnel will join the unit. He highly praised the decade old enduring and deeply valued relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal . During the event, he met military staff and families and posed for an official portrait with the soldiers. The King's Gurkha Artillery draws upon a long tradition of Gurkha service in artillery roles and continues a tradition of military service to the UK. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddpd45pl56o

HELLO NEPAL

Search This Blog