By Karuna Thapa
Kathmandu, March 14
Quotas on the import of betel nuts, Dates, green peas, and chilies have been sought by the
National Consumers Forum Nepal.
Prem Lal Maharjan, the forum’s chairman, stated that they have filed a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office and Council of Ministers, as well as the Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Commerce, Labor, and Consumer Protection, requesting that the import of these commodities be halted.
The import quotas for watermelon, betel nut, chickpea, and chili should be eliminated
immediately, according to Marhajan’s complaint, because the country’s economy has grown weak owing to heavy imports.
”At a time when the country’s economic position is in terrible phase, consumers have been amazed by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies’ decision to allow the import of betel nut, chili, green pea, and dates,” the complaint added. Imports put stress on the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
The forum has warned the government not to waste foreign cash and to support the smuggling trade, claiming that betel nuts, chilies, and chickpeas are being smuggled into India as in past years.
The forum has requested that the decision be reversed immediately, claiming that any effort that does not help customers stains the reputation of the Nepalese government and Prime Minister.
