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Banda bleeds country dry
KATHMANDU, MAY 04 -
The ongoing Maoist strike has badly hit industries and factories throughout the country. Tourism activities and revenue collection have also been buffetted by the nationwide banda.
Business activities is almost nil in all districts, leaving businessmen alone to bear the brunt.
In Biratnagar, industries have suffered a heavy loss in three days. They Industries have already incurred incur a loss of over Rs. 450 million in three days. The major industrial area of the eastern region is sure to endure unaccounted loss if the banda continues.
According to Morang Merchant Association, factories based in Sunsari-Morang Industrial Corridor bear daily loss of Rs. 150 million during strikes. The association has also appealed to political parties to end the increasing culture of calling bandas.
No less is the pain of the tourism hotspot and agriculture basket of the country has bore. The three-day strike has cost industries and agricultural sector of Chitwan Rs. 1.20 billion.
Maoist cadres have halted elephant riding and boat safari on Monday evening. Over 200 tourists could not enjoy tourism activities, according to tourism entrepreneurs.
A tourist spends over US$ 50 per day here and the district receives more than 1,000 tourists in every season, according to local tourism entrepreneurs. The strike has also affected farmers here with vegetable, dairy and poultry farmings going on downward course. Chitwan is suffering a loss of Rs. 180 million in three days. Farmers say they are hardly making any sales. The strike has not spared the banking sector too.
In Hetauda, the industrial sector has already lost over Rs. 240 million during the three-day strike. According to Arunraj Sumargi, President of Makwanpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, each day’s strike costs industries Rs. 80 million.
The strike has mainly affected the multinational companies established here. There are 47 industries in Hateuda Industrial Corridor. Of them, eight are multinational companies.
Of the total estimated loss, Unilever alone has incurred Rs 2 million loss. Other industries have sufferest a loss of over Rs. 60 million within three days.
TKP correspondent in Tikapur reported that income and revenue generating activities have been worst hit in Kailali. Businessmen and farmers have also bore the brunt. Not a single shop has opened.
Similar is the situation in Chautara. Revenue collection in Tatopani custom office has fallen to lowest level. The office had incurred Rs. 240 million revenue loss in three days. The import of household and other commodities has taken a back seat.
Over 50 containers have been stranded on the border, said Bhanu Neupane, a custom official. He said the office used to collect Rs. 5 million to Rs. 10 million every day earlier.
In Ithari, many workers are without jobs due to the strike. About 50,000 transport and industrial workers were affected by the strike in the Eastern Development Region, said Kamal Rai, President of Nepal Transportation Workers’ Union. Of them, 30,000 alone are engaged in the transport sector.
Posted on: 2010-05-05 09:14
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