CHAUTARA, MAY 17 –
Imports through Tatopani customs point has stalled for the last four days after Nepali traders refused to pay increased transport fare and wages to Chinese transporters and loaders.
Khasa-based transport companies have increased the charge for transporting goods from warehouse to Nepali traders to 1,500 Yuan (Rs 15,700) per truck, while Chinese loaders have also started charging high, according to traders.
Nepal Trans Himalaya Commerce Association President Nilkantha Chaulagain said they were forced to stop imports after Chinese transporters hiked the transportation charge. He said they are not ready to pay a single penny for transporting goods from warehouse, terming it “cheating”.
Nepali traders said the extra charge taken by transporters, besides the wage for loaders, is unjustifiable.
Trans Border Nepal Truck Container Traders’ Association and Nepal China Transporters’ Association have declared they will not import goods until the Chinese transporters annul additional charge. Chaulagain also asserted why they should pay additional charge while receiving their own goods. “We will not pay additional annual fare of Rs 90-100 million,” he said.
Goods worth millions of rupees have stuck at Khasa after Nepali traders refused to import goods. Trader Nabin Thapa said Nepalis have been forced to incur losses due to Chinese transporters and loaders. “Wages of loader and transporters have been increased unjustifiably,” said Thapa.
After imported goods stuck in Khasa, Tatopani Customs Office fulfilled its revenue target by taking revenue in advance from the traders.
Customs Office Chief Mimanshu Adhikari said no goods were imported on Wednesday except hand-carry goods and there is silence on the customs premises.
Posted on: 2013-05-17 08:59
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