– Biraj Bhakta Shrestha,
Candidate Kathmandu – 8 (Rastriya Swotantra Party
The Nepal Weekly: How do you find find the current election environment and the response from the voters of Kathmandu – 8 constituency this time ?
Biraj Bhakta Shrestha: First of all I would like to thank you for this question and also for pursuing responsible and professional journalism by The Nepal Weekly. The general public is very much enthusiastic towards the March 5 election. I found the attitude of the voters of this constituency is very much positive towards our role in the House of Representatives. The House was not that much vibrant and lively before we were elected to the Lower House. As you might be aware that Rastriya Swotantra Party had raised strong voice against corruption and mismanagement of state affairs. I think they were very much impressed by the way we played our role as regards various amendment bills presented in the House. The people have sent very clear message through the September 8 and 9 protests that they wanted end to corruption and maintain a good governance.
People wanted us to play a role to frame good policies, such as tax reforms, governance reforms and zero tolerance to corruption. Tax policy should br friendly towards the tax payers, the people want that their dignity should get a boost after paying the taxes. They should not feel humiliated or receive bad treatment while going to pay the tax. I am happy to learn that the voters have now become matured and more aware as compared to the past. The people are concerned about good governance, self – respect and a conducive environment for their children to remain in their own country.
TNW: How do you evaluate your three year’s tenure as the Parliament member ?
Biraj: I had focused my attention toward formulating various policies and identifying problems at local level as well as national level. I have also established a contact office at Tahachal to provide necessary services to the people as soon as I got elected. I registered amendments to various bills having public importance. I found that what people mostly wanted from us was service delivery. I can tell you with confidence that I have fulfilled my responsibility as a Lawmaker with total dedication. You can access my annual work performance record at my website (www.birajbhakta.com.np). I think the beauty of democracy is accountability and transparency. If you visit the website, you can find enough evidence of what I have done in the past 2-3 years period as a Parliamentarian. I am always open to any advise or suggestions for better performance.
TNW: What are your priorities and future plans if being elected to the Parliament from Kathmandu – 8 constituency?
Biraj: The first thing we need to do after being elected is to review various policies. Because development can be sustainable only if we make our efforts for policy reforms. There is a need to reform and update rules, regulations and procedures relating to our culture and heritage, as they have become obsolete. Nepal is gifted with rich natural and cultural heritage, which we need to protect and promote for attaining economic prosperity. I had also raised voice regarding cultural economy from the Parliament. Neighbouring country India made billions of rupees by promoting one specific cultural site called Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbha Mela by attracting millions of people. We can also learn lessons from them. We have so many attractive sites like Swoyambhu, Pashupatinath, Muktinath etc. We need to introduce policies to promote such kind of touristic and religious places. I will also focus my attention towards environment such as climate change, which is hugely impacting our life. There are reports that the ground water of Kathmandu valley may dry up by 2030, which needs to be protected well. My next priority will be to maintain good governance. There are so many obsolete rules and regulations in our country which need to be changed to bring about good governance. We need to pay attention to make our kitchen cheap and affordable. These days many housewives are experiencing problem to run their kitchen due to the sky-rocketing prices. There is a need to bring about reforms from the ordinary people’s kitchen to the state administration. I think we have to work in the areas of environment, cultural heritage and good governance. We need to formulate such policies which help us to become self-reliant and reduce our dependency.
TNW: World heritage sites like Swoyambhu and Hanumandhoka Durbarsquare lie in constituency No. 8. What are your plans to promote these sites from tourism perspective?
Biraj: Being a tourism entrepreneur myself, and having close links with tourism sector people, my first priority will be to produce skilled manpower for tourism sector. Our skilled manpower is leaving the country, which is creating a big problem. Since guides play an important role in promoting our tourist spots and heritage sites, we need to produce more and more guides by launching training programmes. It is also necessary to make the restaurants clean, well-managed and tourist-friendly. We can also operate tour and sight-seeing programme in our constituency in collaboration with the local bodies. We should also use digital platforms to create interesting stories so as to make our heritage sites known to visitors. I have seen some bloggers are creating stories relating to Basantapur, which is very encouraging. We need to link them to tourism promotion as well. We should promote not only the tangible heritage but also intangible heritage, which has great values. We are brought up with the concept “Atithi Devo Bhava” or Guest is our God,” which is very much linked to the promotion of tourism sector. If we can establish a link between our tradition and cultural values with modern concept we can benefit a lot.
TNW: How would you address the issues and agenda raised by the GenZ through their movement in September 8 and 9 in which so many people lost their lives?
Biraj: Zero tolerance to corruption and promoting good governance are the two main agenda of the Gen Z youths, which we have already been raising in the Parliament since we were elected three years ago. So far as I know, many Gen Z youths have also joined the Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP). Some of them have already got chance to become a candidate under proportionate voting while some others are contesting direct election from different constituencies under our party’s name. They are focusing on two things: end of corruption, miss-management and action against corrupt people and maintaining good governance. We are working on both the fronts.
TNW: What problems have you identified in constituency No. 8 ? How are you going to address them?
Biraj: As I have learnt mismanagement is the main problem in this constituency. People living in different nook and corner of the constituency are facing the problem of potable water, which is basically the outcome of mismanagement as the we already have the connection with the Melamchi drinking water project. Another big problem facing by the local residents is to keep their children engaged within the country. Because many youths are aspiring to go abroad either for better job or education, which has become a major problem for the parents. Lack of management, protection of tangible and intangible cultural assets and scarcity of drinking water are, I think the major problems in this constituency. So far as roads are concerned we have almost completed their maintenance and blacktopping.
TNW: There are allegation by the your opponents that Gen Z and RSP are the destroyers and they are the builders of the country. How do you counter this?
Biraj: This is not the time to criticize one another and get engaged in the blame game. We have to think about whey the new generation people revolted? What made them to stand against the establishment?As the result of the information technology, the youths are well informed. They area aware of the current situation. One cannot rule them making false allegations. The country will progress only if we accept the move forward as per the changing time and situation and accepting our weaknesses. There are lots of unanswered questions about the malpractices, mismanagement and corrupt working style adopted by the traditional big political parties in the past 30 years.
TNW: What agenda and programmes is your party RSP going to pursue if you are able to form a majority government after the March 5 election?
Biraj: Our main emphasis will be on good governance and zero tolerance to corrruption. We are bringing out our detail programmes before the people on Falgun 7.We are signing a contract paper with the people in which we have clearly mentioned about our priorities, programmes and policies in specific terms. Fortunately, our party consists of good economists as well. Besides, we have may experts on different subjects. We have done a lot of research and home works before making public the contract paper. We want to make the kitchen of general public cheap and manageable. Though we do not promise to supply gas to the household but we will come with a total solution to the kitchens of each and every citizen. We are making public our manifesto or “contract paper” from Karnali province.