E-Kantipur

FEB 03 -

It is understood that in times of societal and political transformation, a country isn’t stable and doesn’t run smoothly. To match, Nepalis have been terribly patient with the ensuing political and social chaos that engulfs the entire country every now and then. For over 20 years now, instability has been the name of the game. But patience is beginning to wear thin. And this is only amplified when basic necessities, like petrol, cooking gas and electricity are made scarcely available to the public. So when the local people of Bhaktapur took control of three vehicles loaded with Himal Gas cylinders, it comes as barely any surprise. In fact, what does come as a surprise is that somehow, this incident showed little evidence of a mob mentality as people actually paid for the LPG gas even after taking matters into their own hands.

Gas, petrol, and electricity are basic necessities. And they must be provided to the public. This is really not asking for a lot, and considering what Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai told the Post just a few months ago before he took office, he is seemingly relegating on his promises. He made it clear that even if he couldn’t promise movement in the peace process or constitution-drafting because they were larger agendas that needed more time, he said that his premiership would focus on small-scale relief for the people. But really, it doesn’t get any more small-scale than electricity and cooking gas. It’s bad enough that the prices of everything seems to be going straight up, while the economy and people’s wages stagnate, but that there is a shortage for such an elongated period of time, is plain and simply unacceptable. The price of petrol has gone up, as has the price of LPG gas, and yet they are not just short of supply, but severely short of supply. The government must be accountable, at least for the basics of livelihood for its citizenry. The people are not going to be satisfied with road expansions or an integrated ex-Maoist army even, if it comes at the cost of losing the ability to cook food or move around the country.

All of this does however showcase the tremendous ability of Nepalis to withstand hardships and government negligence. But usually, as proven by many theories and research, this kind of mounting frustration leads to an eventual explosion. If not happy, it doesn’t take that much to keep people content. It means a few litres of petrol, a few cylinders of gas and a few packets of milk and veggies, along with some light, at price that people can afford. It would be a mistake for this government to define the people’s helplessness and apathy as contentment. If the people’s aspirations for peace and a constitution are to be put on hold even a while longer, some immediate relief, in all forms of petroleum products, will have to be provided as promised.

Posted on: 2012-02-03 09:09

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