Speaker Ghimire urges to discourage illicit trade in eastern checkpoint

Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire has urged businesspersons to discourage illicit trade taking place through eastern checkpoint, Kakadbhitta.

In his address to an all-side discussion organized here today by Mechinagar municipality on contemporary issues, including border security, Speaker Ghimire urged not to engage in illegitimate trade taking advantage of the porous border with neighbouring India.

He expressed worry for the state loosing revenue due to rise in the illegal trade. Ghimire highlighted the pivotal role of chamber of commerce and industry, other associations and people’s representatives for marketization of agro products of Nepal.

The Speaker called for the government to open mobility of tourists from third countries that has been halted following COVID pandemic.
On the occasion, Mechinagar municipality mayor Gopal Chandra Budhathoki submitted a 15-point demand to the Speaker, including among others, facilitating transactions in eastern checkpoint Kakadbhitta, efforts to easily bring tourists to Nepal, international standards lab within customs, arrangement of on-arrival visa for Bangladeshi tourists at Kakadbhitta.

At the programme, Mechi Customs Chief Ram Prasad Regmi said revenue loss has been caused here as the coal that was being imported via the eastern checkpoint is entering the country from other checkpoints adjoining Bihar state of India.