Eight months have elapsed since the devastating earthquakes that ravaged the country, killing 9,000 people and destroying over half a million homes. Earthquake victims who battled monsoon rains under tarpaulin tents are shivering in winter months and are waiting to be rehabilitated. But the government is looking to add to the facilities of those who are already privileged and well-off. This once again proves that our politicians do only what benefits them personally.
If endorsed, the proposed scheme will provide lifelong facilities to former presidents, vice presidents, prime ministers, chief justices and speakers. This will cost billions to the state coffers. According to an estimate, Rs 25 million will be spent on former president's house rent, Rs 130, 000 on his monthly allowance and thousands of rupees more for stationery and others expenses. This is an open loot of state coffers.
Even developed countries do not provide lifelong pensions to their civil servants.
Nepal's VIPs commonly drain state coffers in the name of medical expenses. Former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala spent over fifty million rupees on his cancer treatment, according to a recent report. Current Prime Minister Oli has taken no less. Before resigning, Sushil Koirala doled out millions of rupees to his party cadres. Even leaders convicted of corruption such as Khum Bahadur Khadka and Govinda Raj Joshi were given millions.
A few years ago, my mother was battling ovarian cancer. I needed money for chemotherapy. I had to run from pillar to post to receive Rs 50,000 that cancer-patients are liable to get. I had to have recommendation letters from local government officers to district police officers. But politicians in this country misuse state coffers as if it is their personal property.
Rulers of this country—from Shahs to Ranas to current crop of leaders—have always misused state coffers when they are in power. Magnificent personal palaces were built by draining country's resources. They lived extravagant lives by misusing taxpayer's money while the poor died for the want of basic medical care. Even today, the poor people in remote villages die in the absence of simple paracetamol.
Former President Ram Baran Yadav owns a home in Kathmandu. But he nevertheless chose to move into a government-rented apartment. Once it was reported that even influential Congress leader Gagan Thapa was taking home rent even though he owns a house in Kathmandu. After criticism he decided not to take the money.
One of the reasons our country is poor and underdeveloped is that from politicians to bureaucrats to business people all have their eyes on country's resources. When there was monarchy, the perks and benefits of Nepali kings, it was said, used to be only second highest to those obtained by US Presidents. Political leaders of all hues raised this issue during the 2006 People's Movement. Now they are trying to outdo the former kings.
The proposal for additional facilities to VIPs must be rejected because the country is in a crisis. According to Post Disaster Need Assessment, earthquakes caused loss of US $7 billion. Economic blockade and Madhesh agitation has caused the loss of another US $7 billion.
National economy is losing two billion rupees a day thanks to ongoing strikes. The government should therefore focus on how to bring economy back on track.
Until 1958, American Presidents didn't receive state benefits on leaving office. They started receiving pensions, supports, staff facilities, travel funds and mailing privileges after Former President Act was enacted that year. It is viable for the US because it is the largest economy in the world. For Nepal, such privileges for its VIPs are a big burden.
Therefore the government should immediately withdraw this proposal. This is the time to reach out to earthquake victims with whatever support the state has. This is the time to rebuild the economy being destroyed by Indian blockade. This is no time to make merry by draining country's scarce resources.
The author is a freelance journalist and social activist
dk7030@gmail.com
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