The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has said the impact of the indefinite strike in Tarai has been more damaging to the economy than that of the April 25 earthquake.

An FNCCI delegation led by its President Pashupati Murarka told Prime Minister Sushil Koirala as such during their meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, on Saturday.

Most of the factory units in the Tarai have remained shut for the last one month due to strikes and bandas imposed by various Madhes-based political parties and groups protesting against the proposed federal set-up. The team urged Koirala to create a conducive environment for smooth operation industries in the Tarai region. “The country’s economy could collapse anytime if the current situation continues,” the apex private sector body told Prime Minister Koirala at his residence in Baluwatar, Kathmandu.

It requested Koirala to make efforts to instil confidence in entrepreneurs, the FNCCI said in a statement. The apex body of the private sector has expressed concerns about rising incidents of vandalism at industrial establishments in the Tarai region. Incidences of protestors hurling petrol bombs and vandalizing factory installations with the motive of bringing economic activities to a halt in the Tarai have swelled in the past few days, according to the FNCCI.  

Around a dozen Tarai-based factories, including some big ones in the Lumbini Corridor, have been vandalised over the last few days amid the protests.

One of the vandalised factories was Arghakhachi Cement, owned by FNCCI President Pashupati Murarka. Others were Goyanka Cement, Goyanka Steel, Reliance Paper Mill, Reliance Cement, Jagadamba Cement, Jagadamba Spinning, Siddhartha Cement, Supreme Cement, Brij Cement and Ambuja Cement.

The FNCCI delegation demanded the government provide protection to industrial units and personal property.

Meanwhile, traders have been incurring combined losses of Rs100 million daily as cargo trucks have been stranded along the Nepal-India border, forcing businesses to pay hefty detention charges and other penalties, according to the FNCCI.

Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said a large number of containers carrying goods imported for the festive season have been stuck at India’s Kolkata port.  

The FNCCI, which last Wednesday handed over the memorandum to the agitating parties to shun banda and settle the issues through dialogue, requested Prime Minister Koirala to promulgate the new constitution through consensus.

During the meeting, Koirala is said to have told the business delegation the major political parties have halted the constitution-drafting process until Sunday noon to initiate dialogue with the disgruntled parties and groups.

“I am happy to see the private sector’s initiative,” the FNCCI statement quoted Koirala as saying. It stated the Prime Minister has asked the FNCCI to file written suggestions so that the government could help the industries sustain in such an adverse situation.