Rabi Lamichhane Comments on Smuggling and Government Measures

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chairman Rabi Lamichhane has commented that the country is full of smuggling and has become 'smuggler-filled', indicating that the government can adopt some flexibility in the steps taken to control it. On Sunday, during a dialogue with private sector representatives, Lamichhane made it clear that the state cannot stand idly by and watch the open smuggling happening in the border areas.

He admitted that there is some dissatisfaction among the general public in the border areas due to the strictness in controlling smuggling, and informed that policy reconsideration is underway, taking into account the sensitivity of those areas. Lamichhane stated that the lifestyle of the citizens living in the border areas has been such that they have been crossing back and forth for years and managing their lives by bringing household goods from cheaper markets.

However, he said that it is challenging for the state when consumers seek cheaper goods on one hand, and on the other hand, Nepali businessmen on the border face the risk of their investments being sunk. Emphasizing that the prosperity of domestic entrepreneurs and businessmen should be the state's priority, he pledged not to let the Nepali market collapse due to competition from cheaper foreign markets.

Chairman Lamichhane mentioned that controlling smuggling is a mandatory condition for bringing the country's economy in the right direction. He said, 'Our priority is the progress of our entrepreneurs and businessmen, but at the same time, the lives of the general public should also be easy. The government is working on coordinating these two aspects.'

He urged the stakeholders to view positively the fact that it may take some time to strike a balance between consumer convenience and business security.

In recent times, voices of protest have been heard at the local level due to the increased security checks and revenue collection at the border crossings. In this context, Lamichhane claimed that the state is trying to stop large-scale illegal smuggling without affecting small consumers.