Entrepreneurs denounce frequent bandhs

Entrepreneurs have urged the agitating parties to put an end to bandhs and explore other alternative ways to protest.
Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) condemned the bandhs being organised by various groups to pressurise the government to accept their demands.
"We condemn the bandhs as it not the right way to protest,” the private sector organisations said, and called for other ways of protests instead of bandhs that has restricted people's fundamental rights to profession and movement, laid down by the constitution.
The private sector has also slammed the government for failing to maintain law and order and the citizens' right to profession.
"Attacks on free press, ambulance and private vehicles by the indigenous nationalities is highly condemnable," they said, adding that it is a violation of basic democratic and property rights.
The private sector has suffered most from the bandhs being called by various political parties, their sister organisations and ethnic groups. "We condemn such irresponsible activities,” FNCCI said, adding that a protest in a democracy is practiced by not disturbing others and it should not be a tool to pressurise the government.
The regular bandhs have also increased the price of food grains, vegetables and fruits, affecting the larger mass. "Poor and middle class people have been trapped in a difficult situation,” said NCC, adding that the price of vegetables and fruits has increased by up to 40 per cent in Kathmandu following the frequent bandhs.
According to NCC, frequent bandhs have crippled the country. “Therefore, political parties, their sister organisations and different ethnic groups must resolve their problems through talks,” they urged.
The country is losing billions in a day due to bandhs, while industries and services are being shut down, the CNI said. "The nearly a month-long bandh in the far west and other parts of country has put pressure on the already ailing industrial sector that has been unable to compete in the international market due to rising costs stemming from non-financial causes."
Entrepreneurs have also asked the agitating parties to withdraw bandhs, provide uninterrupted flow of goods and services across the country along with the operation of industries and businesses. Economic transformation is not possible without strong support from political parties, their sister organisations and ethnic, religious and minority groups, they added.