Legal importers affected too

BIRATNAGAR, MAR 30 -

General people and traders from Biratnagar have complained about the hassles they are facing while acquiring IC banknotes. They say they are forced to pay Rs 167 for IRs 100 in the black market although NRB-fixed rate is Rs 160 for IRs 100. “Not only traders, but also the general people are facing difficulties in getting IC notes to pay for medical treatment, tourism and education,” said Avinash Bohara, president of Morang Merchant Association.

Even the traders who import goods legally are facing problems as they have pay transport fares in cash, Bohara said, adding the association has urged the central bank to end smuggling in border areas.

Meanwhile, the NRB has started ‘IC Fund’ in some of the commercial bank branches in the eastern region to address IC shortage. Dipak Thapa, officer at NRB’s Biratnagar branch, said the central bank has started the fund also in Ilam, Bhadrapur of Jhapa and Inaruwa of Sunsari.

Source: The Kathmandu Post