Miscellaneous
MPs lobby for opening all passes with China
Lawmakers from 15 northern districts are lobbying the government and the Chinese Embassy to open all possible entry points between Nepal and China.Lawmakers from 15 northern districts are lobbying the government and the Chinese Embassy to open all possible entry points between Nepal and China.
To that end, they have already met with some ministers and held telephone conversation with Chinese Ambassador Wu Chuntai.
CPN-UML lawmakers including Shree Maya Thakali recently met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam and Tourism Minister Kripasur Sherpa to urge them to start trade with China from the Mustang border.
“We’ve been appealing to the government to open passages between Nepal and China in all the districts,” said Mohan Bahadur Basnet, a Nepali Congress lawmaker from Sindhupalchok.
More than 20 lawmakers are in the campaign and more are likely to join as the country reels under a severe crisis of petroleum products and other essentials after India imposed a border blockade.
“For a long-term solution to a crisis like this and to contribute to economic development and growth in bilateral trade, we have to open more trading routes with China. Not just Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, if possible, all passes should be opened,” Basnet said.
Nepal and China have so far agreed to open entry and trade routes at Tatopani in Sindhupalchok; Kerung in Rasuwa; Korala in Mustang; Tinker in Darchula; Urai and Raidhunga in Bajhang; Hilsa, Chuwa, Take and Limi in Humla; and Nachalagna in Mugu.
Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi, which are the major trading points between the two countries, were closed due to the April 25 earthquake. The two sides are working to reopen them soon.
Supply obstruction concerns EU
The heads of European Mission in Nepal have expressed their support to efforts at resolving the difficulties affecting the distribution of humanitarian supplies in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the European Union delegation, and Heads of Missions from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway and Swi-tzerland hoped for a prompt solution to the crisis. “The ongoing talks represent a unique opportunity to make progress in this direction and the Heads of Mission encourage all involved to take advantage of it in a spirit of responsibility and compromise,” said the statement.
The urgently needed goods for the adaptation of temporary shelters to quake victims have been obstructed, the EU said. Its effects are most heavily felt by the poorest segments of the population, including in the Tarai. “The lack of basic goods is taking a heavy toll on the economy of Nepal, where recent earthquakes have pushed an additional 3.5 percent of the population under the poverty line,” said the EU.