Money
Authorities clamp down on poultry smuggling
Local authorities are clamping down on poultry smuggling from India which has grown in recent years.Shiva Puri
Makwanpur Police seized a Kathmandu-bound truck with registration number Na 7 Kha 9848 carrying a large quantity of smuggled textiles on December 24. The incidence brought to light textile smuggling by using trucks that normally carry cement in the Parsa-Bara Industrial Corridor.
The truck was carrying 25 bales of textiles and four bales of chapra cloth used for polishing furniture. The contraband was hidden between sacks of cement.
Police Inspector Arun Kushwaha said they sent the truck to Birgunj Customs Office for further action. According to him, the truck was carrying a consignment of Jagadamba Ultra Cement. Manish Mahato, spokesperson for the customs office, said, “The truck driver Saroj Neupane was released on bail of Rs891,000,” Mahato said.
Textile smugglers have been using trucks used to transport cement and bricks manufactured in rural areas of Parsa district, said a trader who asked not to be named.
“Around 300 bales of contraband textiles are being dispatched to Kathmandu daily,” the source said.
The smugglers use gateways such as Janaki Tol, Bhiswa, Pidari, Amarpatti and Banjari. Superintendent of Police at the Parsa Police Circle Rewati Dhakal said authorities had started keeping a close eye on suspected brick and cement factories.
The government levies 20 percent customs duty and 13 percent VAT on readymade garments. The customs duty on imported raw materials is 15 percent. In addition, traders have to pay a local development fee on imported textiles. Smuggled textiles fulfill almost half of the requirement in the domestic market, claimed traders. “Smuggling has increased due to the high import duty,” they said.
According to the Nepal Textile Industries Association, contraband textiles worth Rs80 billion enter the country annually. The country’s textile requirement amounts to 1 billion metres, and domestic production totals 70 million metres, according to the association.