Nepal to ask India to lift additional lock
KATHMANDU, Aug 7:
The government has initiated the process to request India to lift recently-imposed additional locking system for containers meant to be delivered in Nepal.
Nepal imports goods from third-country via Kolkata port and it has been complaining of operational difficulties, corruption, and at times political motives that affect the normal transport of imported goods to Nepal.
We have drafted a letter in which we have renewed our commitment to address India´s security concerns, pilferage of imported goods on the way and possible trade of illegal items, Vijay Kumar Yadav, newly-appointed Minister for Commerce and Supplies told Republica on Saturday.
Nepali officials have been arguing that the imposition of additional lock on the containers with goods in transit would be against trade facilitation as promised by bilateral transit treaty. The spirit of the bilateral treaty is to lessen documentation and facilitate Nepal´s third-country trade through one-time lock system.
Under the new system, Indian customs officials can unlock any container already sealed at Kolkata port at any time and place during the transportation of goods.
Expressing concerns over reported incidents of illegal trade of negative list goods and pilferage of overseas goods in India before reaching Nepal, India imposed the new system with effect from August 1.
"Though the new system would cause more hassles to Nepali traders, we have to hear out India´s security concerns and think about controlling unauthorized practices along the route as expressed by India. However, there must not be any misuse of authority by Indian officials in checking the goods," said Yadav.
Yadav said the request letter would be sent to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once the Foreign Minister returns to Kathmandu by Monday.
The Nepali Consulate General´s Office has formally informed the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) about the enforcement of additional lock system for Kolkata-Nepal route which Nepali traders say would increase hassles and drive up cost of delivering goods.
Traders said longer transportation time and consequently a higher transport cost would certainly push up prices in the Nepali market.
From the time of the Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) meeting in New Delhi about seven months back, India had been pressing Nepal to accept the new system as Nepali side has agreed to the system if goods were to com from the Vishakhapatnam Port. Nepali side has repeatedly denied the introduction of the double lock system in Kolkata.
However, instead of bringing the Vishakhapatnam port into operation, India enforced the provision at the Kolkata port increasing the woes of Nepali importers.
Source: Republica
The government has initiated the process to request India to lift recently-imposed additional locking system for containers meant to be delivered in Nepal.
Nepal imports goods from third-country via Kolkata port and it has been complaining of operational difficulties, corruption, and at times political motives that affect the normal transport of imported goods to Nepal.
We have drafted a letter in which we have renewed our commitment to address India´s security concerns, pilferage of imported goods on the way and possible trade of illegal items, Vijay Kumar Yadav, newly-appointed Minister for Commerce and Supplies told Republica on Saturday.
Nepali officials have been arguing that the imposition of additional lock on the containers with goods in transit would be against trade facilitation as promised by bilateral transit treaty. The spirit of the bilateral treaty is to lessen documentation and facilitate Nepal´s third-country trade through one-time lock system.
Under the new system, Indian customs officials can unlock any container already sealed at Kolkata port at any time and place during the transportation of goods.
Expressing concerns over reported incidents of illegal trade of negative list goods and pilferage of overseas goods in India before reaching Nepal, India imposed the new system with effect from August 1.
"Though the new system would cause more hassles to Nepali traders, we have to hear out India´s security concerns and think about controlling unauthorized practices along the route as expressed by India. However, there must not be any misuse of authority by Indian officials in checking the goods," said Yadav.
Yadav said the request letter would be sent to India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once the Foreign Minister returns to Kathmandu by Monday.
The Nepali Consulate General´s Office has formally informed the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies (MoCS) about the enforcement of additional lock system for Kolkata-Nepal route which Nepali traders say would increase hassles and drive up cost of delivering goods.
Traders said longer transportation time and consequently a higher transport cost would certainly push up prices in the Nepali market.
From the time of the Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) meeting in New Delhi about seven months back, India had been pressing Nepal to accept the new system as Nepali side has agreed to the system if goods were to com from the Vishakhapatnam Port. Nepali side has repeatedly denied the introduction of the double lock system in Kolkata.
However, instead of bringing the Vishakhapatnam port into operation, India enforced the provision at the Kolkata port increasing the woes of Nepali importers.
Source: Republica
