Kathmandu, August 21
A Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) cadres from the Madhesh region has confronted Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle over the government’s increased enforcement of taxes on goods brought into Nepal from India.
The criticism came during a public interaction programme titled “Citizens, Policy and Leadership” held on Thursday evening, where ministers have been engaging directly with citizens.
A participant from Madhesh questioned Wagle over the government’s policy of tightening checks on Nepali citizens returning from India after shopping.
“You have formulated an economic policy. Is this Nepal’s policy or America’s? Is this the policy of the Himalayas, hills and Madhesh, or America’s?” the participant asked Wagle.
He claimed that the government’s crackdown at the border was making it difficult for the RSP to expand its organisation in the 22 districts bordering India.
“Why is it not possible? Because you have imposed taxes on everything. There is an open border across 22 districts, and we have a roti-beti relationship with India,” he said.
The participant said around 400,000 to 500,000 people cross the Nepal-India border every day from the border districts.
RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya and Joint General Secretary Asim Shah were also present at the interaction.
The participant accused police and administrative authorities of harassing people in the border areas over small quantities of goods.
“People living along the border are being beaten by the police and administration even for bringing one kilogram of sugar. This is because of your policy,” he told the finance minister.
He also accused Wagle of becoming a finance minister focused only on Kathmandu and urged him to formulate policies addressing the needs of the hills, mountains and Madhesh alike.
The issue of harassment of Nepali citizens returning from India with small quantities of goods has also been raised by RSP leaders and lawmakers from the Madhesh.
Madhes lawmakers had raised the issue during a discussion chaired by RSP Chairperson Rabi Lamichhane with ministers and lawmakers.
Complaints have continued to emerge that police and administrative authorities are taking an impractical approach while enforcing tax provisions along the Nepal-India border.
The government has tightened checks in border areas as part of efforts to prevent tax evasion and regulate the movement of goods from India. However, the measures have drawn criticism from residents and political representatives in the border districts.
