सिंहदरबार संवाददाता
Kathmandu. Defense Minister Manbir Rai has said that the Nepali Army has been working responsibly towards the country, people and government in every period of Nepal’s history. He clarified that the responsibility for building infrastructure including roads was not something the army wanted, asked for or sought, but was assigned by the government.
Defense Minister Rai said, ‘The army has always been fulfilling its responsibilities and duties by adhering to the instructions given by the government. There has never been a case in history where the government deployed and violated the instructions given.’
An edited excerpt from a conversation with Defense Minister Manvir Rai on current issues including the country’s political practice, the work responsibilities of the Ministry of Defense, the progress of subordinate projects, challenges, and the role of the Nepali Army:
What are you busy with lately, Minister? How are you viewing the current political practice in the country?
Most of the time is spent on the daily work of the ministry, discussions and programs in the Council of Ministers and Parliament meetings. After the promulgation of the constitution, a federal democratic republic was declared. We are moving the country forward in accordance with the spirit and spirit of that constitution.
Some countries have a practice of amending the constitution every ten years. It has been ten years since our constitution was promulgated by the Constituent Assembly. We need to amend the issues that are inconsistent, difficult, amendable, and compatible. Work is being done to make the constitution relevant to the times.
What progress is being made on the issue of constitutional amendment?
Just as a general consensus was reached in the constitution-making process, if any issue arises in the constitution-amending process, we should move forward by establishing consensus among all the parties. The government will bring everyone to a consensus in accordance with the spirit and spirit of the constitution-making process. The homework for that has already begun. Its contents will be revealed in some time. There is no rush to say that these are the contents of the amendment.
How do you view the implementation of federalism and the ongoing practice of cooperation, coordination and support between the three levels of government?
During the practice between the federal, provincial and local levels formed under the Constitution of Nepal, some disputes regarding the distribution of powers should be resolved and reformed and moved forward. Even though federalism has been implemented in our neighboring countries for many years, we have seen that the work of reconciliation and reform is still ongoing.
The practice of the current constitution in Nepal is about to complete ten years. The problems seen in this process should be resolved. Now, whether it is development or other social work, the country is moving forward in a rhythm. Compared to yesterday’s situation, roads and electricity have reached every household.
This has been possible only through a federal democratic republic. Resources that were previously limited to the center have now reached the municipal wards. An environment has been created where people can easily and simply consume them. But even within this, there are some issues that need to be adjusted.
How should the questions raised related to the promotion of good governance and the end of corruption be viewed?
I do not want to comment on what happened in the past government. Now we have said that no work and activity that is being carried out for the country and the people should be stopped. We have also included this issue through an ordinance. Efforts are being made to ensure good governance as expected by the people.
That sector is also stronger than before. But the service delivery has not been as expected. Since the current government came to power, more than 600 cases, including cooperatives, have been filed. The opposition’s sloganeering and accusations in the House are a separate matter. If corruption has occurred, a complaint can be filed with the investigating agency. For that, a complaint can be filed with the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and other agencies.
It is not possible to say that corruption has occurred without basis and evidence. However, the government is standing firm to end corruption. The government has moved forward in the direction of implementing the constitution, good governance, and ending the problems of cooperative victims.
You are at the helm of the Ministry of Defense, which is linked to the independence, freedom and integrity of the country. How have you progressed your work to achieve the goal?
The main responsibility of the ministry is to protect sovereignty, geographical integrity, freedom, independence, nation and nationality. Removing obstacles and difficulties faced by the people and providing peace and order has been given high priority.
The Nepali Army, which is under the Ministry of Defense, is working day and night for the benefit of the nation and the people. The ministry is working responsibly to serve the people and protect the country.
Have you faced any such challenges in the course of your work responsibilities?
The country’s religious, cultural and ethnic diversity, like the mountains, hills and plains, has a geographical situation with steep terrain sloping from north to south. Every year, there is a risk of floods, landslides, soil erosion, inundation and earthquakes. The steep geography of the mountains and hills makes it challenging to work. No matter what problems and challenges there are, the ministry and the Nepali Army are moving forward with determination to defend the country and serve the people.
Even though the main responsibility of the army is the independence of the country and the security of the people, it is accused of being involved in infrastructure construction including roads and other businesses, right?
The responsibility of infrastructure construction including roads is not what the army wanted, asked for or sought. The Nepali Army has been working responsibly towards the country, people and the government in every period. The army does the work ordered and deployed by the government within the constitutional framework. It has never been found anywhere in history that it has violated the government’s instructions. The government has spontaneously deployed the army in development and construction work.
If the army does not take the responsibility of ‘blasting’ to break the barriers to provide access to the roads in some district headquarters, the roads will not reach there. The government has requested and deployed the army for that work. Even now, people’s representatives are requesting that the army be given the responsibility for road construction in the upper part of Gorkha. If the army had not been mobilized after the Sunkoshi flood in Khurkot washed away the bridge, the bailey bridge would not have been installed immediately.
Even now, two bailey bridges are being installed in the Tatopani area and one in Kharpunath in Humla. There is a great demand that the army be given the responsibility of constructing other stranded roads. A few months ago, the people of Kimathanka surrounded me and pressured me to not send the army back without blacktopping the road. No one except the army has the capacity to break the terrifying cliffs and rocks there. The army is working in risky areas where other contractors have not been able to.
Even now, the army is working on roads of national pride, including strategic and tactical importance. The army is not engaged in trade and business, but is following the orders given by the government for the benefit of the country and the people.
What are the progress of projects and plans under the Ministry of Defense, the problems encountered, and the efforts made to resolve them?
In the process of moving forward with development projects, various obstacles and challenges that may arise must be overcome. Nepal has geographical and some social challenges in particular, and efforts are being made to overcome them. For example, the Kathmandu-Terai Madhes Expressway (Fast Track) is the most important project in the country. Negotiations and discussions are underway from various angles on the issue of moving forward by providing necessary compensation to the locals whose land falls within the project’s boundaries.
Efforts are being made to identify problems and demands by discussing with the federal and provincial members and local governments, especially to address the issue of land acquisition at the departure point Khokana. In the process of moving forward with the project, the construction of tunnels and bridges of a special nature is in full swing. We are trying to complete the project quickly. The progress so far has given us excitement and satisfaction that the project will be completed on time. Continuous inspections are being carried out to ensure that the project is completed on the specified date.
There is talk that the projects being worked on under the management of the Nepali Army are in trouble due to lack of timely budget release, is that true?
It is not that there is a lack of budget in the projects taken over by the army. There is a little less, but as is being said outside, it is not a situation where work is stopped due to lack of budget.
How have you taken the comments that are being made about the Nepali Army while you are leading the ministry?
The Nepali Army has been honest with the government at any time in Nepal’s history. It has followed orders. It has assimilated the constitution and moved forward. There is no truth in the misleading things that are being made about the Nepali Army. Such negative comments have come without understanding the responsibilities, duties and character of the army. The army is working under the constitution and under the direction of the government.
The army has been working in a commendable manner in the fields of world peacekeeping, internal security, road corridor construction, relief and rescue during disasters, healthcare, sports, etc. I would like to salute and respect the honesty of the army. I have found and understood the army as a reliable security organization of the country.
What work and initiatives are being taken to further professionalize the Nepali army?
The Nepali army is doing good work in the interest of the country and the people despite many problems. Compared to other countries, salaries and other facilities are low. The physical infrastructure in the barracks has not been built as expected. The infrastructure of the barracks in some Terai districts is in a deplorable condition. Even the minimum land required for training and other activities has not been provided. However, we are trying to address the demands of the army. Work is underway to produce and increase the use of explosives, ammunition and clothing required by the army domestically. Efforts are underway to organize the barracks building and bunkers.
It is necessary to increase the morale of the army, which is working with limited resources. The Nepali Army has proven itself to be excellent in international peacekeeping operations. That is why Nepal is number one in the list of countries sending the most peacekeepers. Similarly, Nepal is at the forefront of countries deploying the most female soldiers in peacekeeping.
The army has done a lot of work amidst limited resources, problems and challenges. The government will pay more attention to the facilities and management of the army in the upcoming budget.
You are leading an important ministry of the country. What exactly is a government?
The government is the guardian of the country. The government should work for physical development and human development with a vision to uplift the country and the people. It should be able to make the people feel that it is my government. The country’s economy is gradually returning to normal. Efforts are being made to work according to the wishes and desires of the people amidst limited resources.
The trend of youth emigration abroad is increasing. How is the state creating an environment for them to stay in their own country?
This is a problem related to unemployment. The unemployment problem is increasing as a result of the failure to stabilize politics and expand industry in the country. The problem has also arisen due to the failure to make the country’s economy employment-oriented. In fact, citizens of neighboring rich countries also tend to go to work in other countries of their own free will. Nepal’s problem is due to unemployment. The government has moved forward to reduce this. It has made various efforts to create employment.
We are aware of this, for which an important agricultural modernization program targeting youth has been started since the past. It can be addressed by operating industries in the country. We should start creating jobs in industries with potential, including hydropower production. The information technology sector should also be developed and expanded.
Is there any message to reassure the people about the end of the activities seen on the streets and political stability?
The country is currently in the process of implementing the constitution. Due to the country’s entry into a federal democratic republic, the children of the common people have got the opportunity to become president. Yesterday, a system was adopted in Nepali society that Dalits and people from neglected castes and marginalized classes could become president at any time. We should move forward by addressing the problems seen in the process of implementing the constitution and making the inconsistent laws timely.
Nothing has happened in the country, and it is not even in sight, and now the idea and commentary that nothing will happen by staying in Nepal has been created, right?
My home district is Solukhumbu. Earlier, we were forced to reach Jiri in Dolakha and carry a load of salt. Now, motor vehicles have reached Lukla, the foot of Mount Everest. There is no need to travel to Jiri to carry salt. Like Solu, the access to roads, electricity, education, health and information technology has brought a great change to the hilly rural areas of eastern and western Nepal. Now, electricity has reached every household. This has been possible only after the advent of today’s system, that is, the federal democratic republic.
What are the priorities of this district? Do you have any message for the countrymen and voters?
Since Solukhumbu is the district where the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, is located, I am worried about whether the mountains here will be in danger due to the effects of climate change. The effects of climate change are creating a situation where the white mountains are turning into black stones. If there is no snow in the mountains, the water sources will dry up. This will affect not only Nepal but the entire earth. We must work to save the mountains. For that, the government has taken forward the Sagarmatha Sambad program.
Countries around the world need to pay attention to this. In Kathmandu, people from all over the world may not be able to meet in one place, but tourists from all over the world meet in the base camp area of Solukhumbu. The government is working to expand easy access to transport in that area. Blacktop work is underway where roads have been reached. Like other districts, roads, drinking water, education, health, tourism promotion, and electricity expansion are the priority issues of the district.
We are pushing for a road from Solukhumbu to Bhojpur border, following the Arun River, and connecting to Kimathanka.
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