It was astonishing to see the response by MS Shrestha of the Melamchi Project ('Letters', #159) to Naresh Newar's article 'What's in it for us?' (#158). The 'Social Upliftment Programme' (SUP) that Shrestha mentions guarantees no improvement in the socio-economic condition of the residents of 14 VDCs. The SUP has been designed so as to impose the program with no consultations with local people. The locals have been continuously protesting against the SUP and they demand that it be truly people-centred, through needs-assessment and prioritisation. Newar was right in drawing attention to the fact that the project has not guaranteed that water will be left in the Melamchi, and I have strong doubts that the water levy in Kathmandu will ensure transfer of financial resources back to Melamchi residents in return for their water, especially since Kathmandu Valley distribution is being done through privatisation. The project has also not provided local employment and the 30 percent mandatory condition for contractors has already failed. Newar has honestly portrayed the ground reality in Melamchi, while Shrestha's assertions are false.

Raju Pandit Chhetri,
Melamchi Local Concern Group