On: why the rule that “government employees are not allowed to use public vehicles assigned to them as a part of their position” is a bad rule!
We need to first understand that Nepal is transportation starved! What this means is that not everyone that needs or could achieve more with adequate transportation has access to transportation. Bikes are marked up 250%—with the government taking most of your bike before it even gets to you. This means the price does not reflect demand. Not everyone that wants and or needs a bike or car is not able to afford one.
Given this reality, let’s analyze the current situation. We know public employers are corrupt and as a society we have a rule in place that checks their powers in hopes of preventing them from abusing their powers and privileges. One check is this vehicle use rule. We are limiting their powers to limit abuse of power. We believe, in a transportation starved nation, that these people should not abuse their vehicles.
This policy has good intentions but awful consequences. Anyone reading this, I want you to brainstorm answers to this question. What abuse could be so great that government employees must be stopped from using vehicles they have access to at their full convenience? Do we believe that a politician going on holiday in their government car—given the petrol is paid for out of their pocket—is such a detriment to the country?
That must be the case if we are to continue enforcing this rule. There are many consequences of this rule. Namely, this locks up vehicles from being traded and used in the open market. These politicians will likely own their own private vehicles which they purchased prior to getting to office. So when they are given a government vehicle that they can only use on some days, they are forced to keep their private vehicle.
These people are in power for a long time—with the term limits for many elected positions being for five years. The current vehicle use policy binds them to owning two vehicles. Any vehicle that has already passed customs and inside the country is worth a lot more than if it exists outside the country in international markets. That’s why Nepal has a lot of very old vehicles still on the road. It would be very costly to replace these vehicles despite them not functioning optimally. When we force a politician to keep their own cars on top of a government owned vehicle, we prevent a bike or a car from going to someone who needs it.
If this policy were not in existence, someone like Balen would perhaps opt to sell their privately owned vehicle for they won’t need it for five years. This is likely to happen because unless anyone has to, they would not like to pay maintenance for a car or bike that is not of use to them. If Balen was freely allowed to use the Mayor’s car for any use, he would sell his own car! This car could and would be sold and used by a family who desperately needs one! It would free up vehicles from every government employee. These people can easily buy another one five years down the line!
So, I ask fellow Nepalis, are the downsides of politicians using their public vehicles for private purposes so great that we continue this transportation famine we have been facing since day one? Do we not owe the nation to make rational decisions and abolish this rule so that it’s not just politicians hoarding vehicles? We are hungry for vehicles and we ourselves are preventing vehicles from going towards hungry folks!
You just one point to reinforce your argument and stuck to it completely ignoring other points. Governments vehicles needs to be banned from free use not just to save tax payers money but because they enjoy very high privilege. Those vehicles aren’t checked by the police and can be unlawful materials if allowed to roam freely anyday. They have been abused by their family members, relatives and alike etc.
The law exists for a reason. It doesn’t matter if it affected Balen or Harka or whoever your role model is. The money we pay as taxes should go to the development of the nation not to teej party override of anyone’s wife. I am not paying for that petrol or disel that fuels it.
Yesto garib desh ma tyo neta ra karmachari lai kina chaiyo 1.5 karod ko car. Public day ma matrai hoina yo car dine nai banda garnu parcha. Ki afno chadne natra public transport use garne. Balen afule public transport use garyo bhane matrai teslai kasari improve garne dhyan jancha. Same with public schools, hospital, infrastructure….
First of all, that Government vehicle provided to not only politicians but also bureaucrats and many others who are on Nepal govt payroll like contract workers etc are for official use alright, it is Govt property and not a private property.. as such there has to be limitations for it. You cannot allow a public property to be used like a private property, this is the main thing.
Second, the idea that any politician in Nepal will sell their cars because they are now elected politicians and have Govt vehicles i don’t think holds water. Yes some might, but i don’t think that number is huge. Many will simply use their private cars less and use Govt vehicles more.
Third, Govt workers still can use public vehicles on holidays but they just need to have a pass from DAO, specifying why they need to use it for that day. Now, if there is emergency situation then i agree there should be provision for that but according to your thinking, if there is to be no limit to use of Govt vehicles.. then sons or daughters or other family members may misuse that Govt vehicle and it may cause problems later. Also, some ministers are given 2 to 3 govt vehicles which can be misused too.
Lastly, i do not agree with you about allowing politicians and Govt workers total freedom in using taxpayers funded Govt vehicles. There absolutely has to be some limits on it, otherwise it is rife for abuse.
There always have been a problem with government issued vehicles, its use and maintenance.
That’s why many reports have proposed of stopping government from buying vehicles and giving financial aid to buy a personal vehicle for high ranking officials and giving them a monthly pay for fuel and maintenance. That would be way cheaper than maintaining an old vehicle for the government.
Yet, it has not be implemented just for the sake of commission in purchase, oil and maintenance.
>given the petrol is paid for out of their pocket—is such a detriment to the country?
Yes, because a vehicle needs more than just petrol, which have to paid by taxpayer’s money.
>When we force a politician to keep their own cars on top of a government owned vehicle, we prevent a bike or a car from going to someone who needs it.
Lmao what? What kinda delusion are you on? Are you suggesting we give them government issued vehicles paid by taxpayer’s money, so they can sell their own vehicles back to taxpayers for a profit?
Personally, I don’t mind people using government vehicles if those are assigned to them. They’re given out as an amenity or facility. It is the same if a company gives certain employees cars and drivers.
The government workers get paid shit. It’s these facilities that make the government jobs a bit more attractive. Would you rather have someone in the post of mayor going out without security in his own car in a politically charged climate?
Big time politicians always use government amenities all the time even if they’re using their own cars. So why not civil workers?
If the government has given quarters to some employees to live who are in another state for work, should the employees not be allowed to live there on Saturdays?
I find the whole fiasco comical at best. I understand the concerns of abuse but we have bigger things to sort out.
Terrible terrible take. Those vehicles aren’t owned by these people and shouldn’t be either. Antim ma tax money le manage gareko vehicle ho. La moj gar vandai deko hoina.
Allow me to grasp this concept: Is the primary purpose of a government-assigned vehicle to chauffeur the “esteemed” public servant to and fro, diligently shuttling them between their residence and the workplace or wherever their official duties may take them throughout the workweek? Subsequently, the faithful vehicle embarks on a solo journey back to its originating office, perhaps contemplating its life choices along the way.
Now, I must emphasize that no one has proclaimed this arrangement as an iron-clad prohibition against utilizing the vehicle on weekends. Oh no, there exists a provision for a legitimate, well-reasoned pass, outlining the precise whys and whens, and then you are granted a green light to ride. There is indeed a system in place, a roadmap, if you will, to navigate these vehicular adventures. It’s worth noting that there exists no absolute, inflexible rule, as each situation may warrant a certain degree of flexibility. Dekai ho ta samadhan pani, haina ra?
Ah, but aren’t we veering off the main highway of discussion here? You see, in the wondrous land of Nepal, individuals fortunate enough to possess not one, but two cars, have stumbled upon a stroke of genius. They won’t part with a single automobile because, you see, they’ve been graced with the government’s very own chauffeur-driven chariot, a marvel of convenience. So, they decide to proudly showcase both vehicles right in front of their humble abode… every Saturday, transforming their driveway into a makeshift automobile museum. And as for maintenance costs, well, let’s just say they’ve unearthed creative ways involving the mystical arts of corruption and under-the-table dealings to ensure their beloved machines continue purring like pampered kittens. It’s a spectacle worthy of drama, don’t you think?
Baat karta hai! 
Government is now planning to Give Money for Fuel . instead of Fuel Coupon . The Fuel Coupon currently goes to the driver as they exchange it for money.
If they give Money instead of fuel , it will be automatically used less . In another way , they go wherever they want under this budget or pay for it .
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” Do we believe that a politician going on holiday in their government car—given the petrol is paid for out of their pocket—is such a detriment to the country?”
That is the fucking problem, they fucking wont. Neta pailai deki corrupt, ani aab petrol ko paisa afai tirne? No, thats a pipe dream.
The government will pay for the fuel, the repairs when the transmission breaks down, replace the tires when they pop, and where do they get that money from?
**Us, we pay for it.**
Ani privet vehicle rake ra k bha? Huh? not to mention, its not their vehicle, its the governments vehicle.
Abuse? Ive read the comments, the people here have told you their own personal experiences about netas using governmental vehicles.
“Transport famine” Public transport ki afnu gadi kinnu pare maybe they would be inclined to fix the shitty public transport or lowers the prices.
We **need** this rule.
Ture. Better limit the standard and availability of vehicle.