Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) lawmaker Manish Jha on Friday questioned whether the government lacks the competence to run the state effectively.
Addressing the House of Representatives on Friday, Jha, a ruling party lawmaker, said the government does not appear to lack integrity or good intentions, but its administration of the state needs improvement. “At present, there is no problem with integrity and intention. But it seems something is lacking in the way the state is being run,” he said. “We must acknowledge this shortcoming.”
Jha argued that anyone who believes they know everything is like a corpse. He added that leaders must continue learning every day. “We need to recognize what we do not know. It seems we need to improve the way we run the state system,” he added.
The lawmaker from Dhanusha-3 also added that maintaining social balance is essential for the country’s overall development. “We cannot achieve social justice without it,” he added.
Jha said Madhesh, the Nepali diaspora and the private sector are key stakeholders in the country’s sustainable development. “Unfortunately, all three are feeling insecure now,” he said.
Referring to the recent unrest in Madhesh, Jha warned that while the immediate crisis may have subsided, the underlying issues remain unresolved. “The fire in Madhesh has been extinguished somehow, but I want to tell the government that while the flames are out, the firewood is still smoldering. Remain vigilant,” he said.
Claiming that discrimination against Madhesh still exists, Jha urged the government to ensure balanced treatment across the country. “They search for a packet of chips worth Rs 25 at the Madhesh border, but at the airport people are allowed to bring in Blue Label whisky and laptops. Where is the balance?” he said.
Jha also said that after removing black-tinted vehicle windows, authorities should also remove black glasses. “We have removed black-tinted vehicle windows. Maybe we will also have to remove black glasses,” he added.
He further said the private sector has become fearful due to the government’s working style. “The private sector is frightened. People who should feel safe when they see the police instead fear when they might be arrested or when their homes might be raided,” he said. “Give the private sector confidence. Allow people to invest the money they have and create an investment-friendly environment in the country.”
