A) NEPAL AND BHUTAN ON EQUAL FOOTING?
Bhutanese leadership of past and
present very often have compared the ultimate effects of the so called
“sovereign” attitude of Nepal versus “accommodating” attitude of Bhutan when it
comes to relation with India.
Bhutan felt it acted more smartly
and was more astute and therefore economically benefited more from India. Now
the political and economic scene is laid bare for all to see and form their
individual inner soul searching thoughts though in public one cannot expect
much change in the political rhetoric.
On June 15th, 2014,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India came to Bhutan for 2 days State Visit. He
told the Bhutanese Parliament:
1. “Bhutan for Bharat and Bharat for Bhutan.” B4B!?
2. “The development aid package for 11th Five Year Plan will remain as committed by previous Indian Government Rs: 45 billion.”
3. “The power projects will continue.”
4. “Bhutan should promote tourism in-conjunction with the North East States of India.”
1. “Bhutan for Bharat and Bharat for Bhutan.” B4B!?
2. “The development aid package for 11th Five Year Plan will remain as committed by previous Indian Government Rs: 45 billion.”
3. “The power projects will continue.”
4. “Bhutan should promote tourism in-conjunction with the North East States of India.”
The Prime Minister paid tribute
to the Kings of Bhutan for their far-sightedness and the visionary decision of
the 4th King in introducing democracy.
On August 3rd, 2014,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India went to Nepal for 2 days State Visit. He
told the Nepalese Parliament:
1. “India will not interfere with the politics of Nepal but will support all its endeavours.”
2. “India will provide $1 billion concessional credit line to Nepal to be utilized for whatever purpose Nepal desires. It was over and above all other aid packages.”
3. “Please harness your hydro-capacity and light up India’s darkness. We do not want it free. We will buy your electricity.”
4. “If any soldier says he is not afraid to die, it is a blatant lie unless the speaker is a Gurkha? The Gurkhas of Nepal play a vital role in the security apparatus of India.”
5. “India will help build infrastructures and power transmissions for Nepal. The Indian Government is committed to building new heights in Indo-Nepal relationship, fully respecting Nepal’s sovereignty. India will not interfere in what Nepal does.”
6. “India looks upon Nepal with hope and deeply welcome democracy in Nepal.”
1. “India will not interfere with the politics of Nepal but will support all its endeavours.”
2. “India will provide $1 billion concessional credit line to Nepal to be utilized for whatever purpose Nepal desires. It was over and above all other aid packages.”
3. “Please harness your hydro-capacity and light up India’s darkness. We do not want it free. We will buy your electricity.”
4. “If any soldier says he is not afraid to die, it is a blatant lie unless the speaker is a Gurkha? The Gurkhas of Nepal play a vital role in the security apparatus of India.”
5. “India will help build infrastructures and power transmissions for Nepal. The Indian Government is committed to building new heights in Indo-Nepal relationship, fully respecting Nepal’s sovereignty. India will not interfere in what Nepal does.”
6. “India looks upon Nepal with hope and deeply welcome democracy in Nepal.”
The Government of India has
followed up the visit to Nepal by Prime Minister Modi with initial $12 billion
aid to Nepal. That’s around Rs: 730 billion and it’s just the start up economic
aid package.
In a nutshell, India has publicly
accepted Nepal’s foreign policy of dual relationship with China and India. Presently
China is fully funding and implementing two hydro-projects in Nepal besides
other infrastructures developments like motor roads. China’s aid package to
Nepal must be substantial because India’s own start up aid package for Nepal is
Rs: 730 billion plus the Rs: 61.5 billion concessional credit line.
B) RURAL TAXATION TO BE INCREASED?
According to media reports, the
Mongar Dzongkhag Tshogdu is to resubmit its proposal for rural tax increase.
And Kuensel Editorial (26th July, 2014) hails that taxes should be
increased 500 folds for rural dwellers. The Nu: 6 for 50 decimal dry land
should be Nu: 3000 and the 50 decimal wetland of Nu: 12 tax should be Nu: 6000.
In this manner of thinking, the Nu: 20 house tax should be Nu: 10,000.
What political game is really
being pursued and by whom? Is it an agenda of some Political Parties or is the Government
playing a dubious political game? Did the Mongar Dzongkhag Administration or
the Tshogdu take the trouble to consult the Gyeltsab for Eastern Dzongkhags who
is based at Gyalposhing under Mongar? It is possible that rural dwellers could
perceive an association of this very determined tax increase push (the effort
to resubmit immediately after the same was rejected by the National Assembly) with
the installation of the Regent in the East.
It is said that rural taxes have
not been revised for the last 30 years. Why must rural taxes be revised when
the thrust of the present development is to improve rural livelihood and
encourage people to stay on their farms? Why has this PDP formed Government
provided electricity subsidy to the rural households? How does the local
Government members expect the farmers to pay Nu: 3000 tax for a 50 decimal dry land
that cannot yield Nu: 1000 worth of wheat grain after taking away the
cultivation input cost?
Why are the members of Mongar
Dzongkhag Tshogdu and Kuensel Editor so dead set upon dislocating rural people?
How many urban dwellers really own land in the rural country-side? Just because
their census is there, it does not mean urban dwellers actually own the farm
land. The farm lands supplement the livelihoods of family members living on the
farms. Many urban dwellers bear the extra burden to support their fellow
relatives living in their family homes in rural Bhutan.
The rural taxes have not been
revised because the nominal tax is levied for statistical purpose not to generate
income to the national exechequer. The 3rd King was not a son of a
farmer but His Majesty comprehended the hardships of rural Bhutan. That was why
the taxes were reduced to nominal statistical amount and since then the Kings
of Bhutan had not raised the taxes for the last 45 years. And even today His
Majesty the 5th King has gone to great lengths to provide land and
other Kidus for those rural dwellers and now some political forces are bent on
not just in nullifying these royal considerations but destroy the harmony that
exist among rural communities.
It is the responsibility of the
Central Government to provide adequate fund for the development and
administrative expenses of the local Government. I do not think the rural
society is in any position to fund such development and administrative budget.
It is most disappointing in that the representatives elected by local people do
not understand the reality of the social and financial situation of the
villagers. If the villagers are so rich already then why are the local Tshogdu
members continuously demanding higher salaries and other monetary benefits for
themselves? It is of no surprise that
many families especially in the East are abandoning their homes to escape the
local tyrants.
What kind of people are lobbying
to de-harmonize rural community and thereby de-stabilize national harmony?
Please find a different path to political power other than trampling over rural
society.
