Tihar-meant goods held up at Khasa
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CHAUTARA, NOV 06 -
Goods imported for Tihar have been stranded at Khasa as more stringent customs procedures imposed by the increased vigilance of the Office of Revenue Investigation have held up clearance.
Work has been further delayed by a go-slow protest mounted by customs officials after a number of their companions were manhandled by local people. Customs staff including the chief customs officer were assaulted.
Angered by the interrogation of six customs employees by the Office of Revenue Investigation, the rest of the staff have been uncooperative. Khasa is one of the major trade routes between Nepal and China.
“More than 200 containers containing imported goods including readymade garments, lighting devices and decorative items targeted at Tihar have been stuck at Khasa godown,” said Krishna Chhetri, third vice president of the Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Another 60 containers have been held up on the Chinese side of the border as Chinese officials have delayed clearance. “Traders will have to wait till next year’s Tihar to sell their goods,” said Chhetri. As government offices have closed from Friday for the Tihar holidays, these goods will be transported to Nepal only after the festival.
Chief customs officer Chudamadi Devkota admitted that work had been affected as recent incidents had weakened the morale of customs employees. However, he added that goods stored in the customs yard would be cleared immediately for delivery to Kathmandu.
Following the investigation by the Revenue Office, customs officials are checking only two-three containers per day compared to five-six previously. However, officials ascribed the delay to having to check a large number of small items packed in the containers.
Customs employees returned to regular duty from Wednesday after two of the accused attackers apologised in the presence of assistant chief district officer Govinda Sapkota. Merchants have been importing 20 to 25 containers of apples daily through the customs point during the festive season. Five containers of Chinese raisins have also been imported for the festival.
Posted on: 2010-11-06 08:48
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