Indefinite strike bleeding economy blue

Private sector representatives asked for security of their properties and end to indefinite strikes that has crippled the country since last one month bleeding the economy blue.

Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) said that the indefinite strike in Tarai is posing more risk to economy than the damage caused by devastating earthequake of April 25.

Briefing Prime Minister Sushil Koirala at his official residence Baluwater, today the delegation led by FNCCI president Pashupati Muraraka, said that the country’s business sector is sustaining daily losses of around Rs 20 million due to Tarat unrest.

Likewise, traders are forced to incur loss as cargo trucks have been left stranded leaving businesses with no option than to pay detention and demurrage charge, apart from other fines. According to study, a day of bandh causes the country loss of Rs 2.5 billion. The country has already lost around Rs 90 billion in last one month, which is almost equal to a year's export receipt.

Muraraka, on the occasion, also briefed the premier of private sector's request to the agitating parties. The economy is bledding blue, and the agitators are not giving ear to private sector, he said, asking Koirala to be serious. He also requested to create a business friendly environment and deliver confidence to the entrepreneurs for operating industrial establishments.

There has been increase in number of attacks against private properties and industrial establishments in the Tarai region, including incidences of protestors hurling petrol bombs and vandalising factory installations. They also asked the government to provide needful security to traders and their businesses during the time of bandhs and strikes.

Finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Bimalendra Nidhi, and minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Mahesh Acharya were also present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Koiral, on the occasion, asked the delegation to submit a written suggestion on what they seek from the government. "The government is committed to help businesses and industries withsand such adverse environment," Koirala said, adding that the government is working tirelessly to address political demands raised by various groups and parties regarding the constitution drafting process.

He also informed the privatesector that the major parties have decided to slow down the constitution writing process in order to take disgruntled parties on board.

The government has however failed to control criminal activites in Tarai in the name of politics. The increasing politicisation of criminal activities in the Tarai in the last one month is not going to help solve the issues of Tarai and tarai Madhesh people, rather the region will be famous for gruesome killings and murders of security personals. Some politicisna might benefit from increasing impunity but most of the Tarai people will get nothing as they will continue to be deprived of opportunities for a decent life.