MPs Urge Government to Initiate Diplomatic Talks with India Over Tea Exports

Kathmandu. Members of Parliament have demanded that the government immediately initiate diplomatic efforts with the Indian government to facilitate the stalled tea exports.

Speaking during the zero hour of the House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday, the MPs drew the government's attention to the severe crisis faced by tea farmers, workers, and industrialists.

MP Suhang Nemwang stated that tea exports have come to a halt due to the recent policy of the Tea Board of India, which has directly impacted the country's economy. He urged the government to formulate a concrete policy to protect tea farmers and industrialists.

Speaking in the house, MP Nemwang said, 'The recent policy of the Tea Board of India has caused tea exports to come to a halt. This is directly affecting farmers, workers, industrialists, exporters, and the country's economy. Therefore, I want to urge the government – initiate immediate diplomatic efforts with the Indian government, resolve the obstruction in tea exports, and formulate a concrete policy to protect tea industrialists and farmers.'

MP Sunil KC urged the government to ensure that farmers receive timely and adequate supply of fertilizer. He demanded an answer from the government as to when the people of Kathmandu will be able to drink Melamchi's water.

He also raised the issue of public land in Tinkune being occupied for a long time. MP KC questioned how long the state would allow public property to be occupied in this manner and expressed the view that former prime ministers and ministers should come to the house and clarify this matter.

Similarly, MP Suresh Kumar Chaudhary complained that the government has not paid attention to the development of settlements in the Indian border areas. He stated that basic infrastructures such as roads, electricity, health, education, and communication are not even available in the villages in the border areas, describing those settlements as being in a state of neglect.

Mentioning that the people in the border areas of Bardiya and Banke are facing various problems, MP Chaudhary drew the government's attention to the delay in infrastructure construction there. He emphasized that the government must be serious about solving the problems of the citizens in the border areas.