Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)  and Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) on Friday asked the government to announce relief package for the business sector which has suffered massive losses due to nearly three-month banda in the Tarai region and unofficial trade embargo imposed by India.

During a meeting with Industry Minister Som Prasad Pandey, the FNCCI warned the industrial sector would face a disaster if the relief measures were not announced. 

An FNCCI delegation led by its President Pashupati Murarka met Pandey and sought the relief package, informing him about the problems facing the industrial sector due to banda and embargo.

Murarka said they sought the package from the government as industries could not bear the losses. “We are working on the demands to be made. We will submit a formal proposal soon,” he said.

Murarka said their major demands would be waiver of interest and electricity demand charges as well as certain relief measures on the wage bills. 

“Industries have been forced to pay the demand charges to Nepal Electricity Authority despite not using the power for the past three months,” said Murarka. “Many industries have failed to provide wages to their workers even for the Dashain festival and the burden of wage bill is also very high.”

According to Murarka, the business community was not in a position to pay warehouse fees, demurrage charges, delay fees and container parking fees to the Birgunj Dry port as they had not been able to transport the imported goods reaching the Dry Port.

FNCCI said almost 90 percent of the industries in Tarai have remained closed. Industries based on the soothers parts of the East-West Highway have been closed fully, while those along the road have also not been operating partially due to the lack of raw materials and fuel shortages, the apex private sector body said.

“The government should first ensure that the blocked goods are cleared and the industries are operated smoothly either through dialogue or force,” said Murarka. “Then, the relief package should be introduced.”

The private sector body said the business sector was losing around Rs2 billion daily due to the banda and blockade. 

Meanwhile, a Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) delegation met Minister Pandey and Commerce 

and Supply Minister Ganesh Man Pun and demanded waiver of demerge charges and delay fees and charges the importers have to pay while bringing in goods through customs points other than previously stated.

The has already decided to reduce such fee by 50 percent.