STATE OF CRISIS
The Kathmandu Post
30
October 2015
STATE OF CRISIS
The promulgation of the new constitution
has resulted hardship faced by the people since the last two months due to the Tarai
unrest (“Mr. Oli’s winter challenge” Nepal and India, 28 Oct, Page 07). The leaders of the big three political
parties saw the devastating earthquake as an opportunity to draft and
promulgate the constitution undermining the voices of disgruntled groups. As a
result, the country is facing an acute fuel crisis along with the shortage of essential
goods that have been blocked from entering Nepal by the Madhesi protesting close to various
entry points. Also, India is equally to be blamed for imposing an undeclared
trade embargo on Nepal to exert pressure on the government of its
smaller neighbour to address grievances of Madhes based political parties.
Before promulgating the new constitution,
around 40 people had already lost their lives in confrontation with the security
forces. However, the power hungry leaders of big three political parties moved
ahead without considering the consequences of promulgating the constitution in
such a situation. Their political egos have now pushed the nation towards
social, economic and political crisis. The government is losing billions of
revenues due to the trade embargo. Most of the restaurants, hotels and other
business organizations have closed due to unavailability of petroleum products.
Black marketing of petroleum goods has become
rampant in the cities. Hospitals are struggling to run their services. Schools
all over the country could be closed for indefinite period of time until petrol
and diesel are again available in the market. The government is trying to make an
arrangement with the Chinese government but the consequences of that will only
be known in the coming days. In this depressing state of affairs, one can only
hope that the government will settle the political and constitutional problems at
the soonest possible.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
