Government may change policy from time to time. But its main purpose should be to protect the interests of the indigenous farmers. We should proceed according to the strategy of increasing the consumption of betel nut produced here, connecting it with industry and production, developing capital, and creating employment.
Betel nut is cultivated in about 4,100 hectares in the country and 14,500 tons are produced from it. As the betel nut consuming industry is limited, seven thousand tons of betel nut meets the demand of the Nepalese market. In this way, the betel nut produced in Nepal can be exported to meet the domestic demand.
In Nepal, the government has opened the way for unlimited betel nut imports even though there is no decrease in production and no increase in demand. It is certain that the government's facilitation of importation of betel nuts without any justification is intended to serve the smugglers.
This shows that the government has prioritized wrongdoing. Such steps tarnish the image of the state. Damages relations with countries involved in trade relations. At the same time, it seems that the government is trying to get immunity from the obligation to encourage betel nut farmers in Nepal.
Even though betel nuts are small, the smuggling activities associated with them are big. When the policy changes related to betel nut import are made in Nepal, smuggling services are directly or indirectly made the main target. After increasing the number of illegally imported betel nuts going to India, the government banned the import from 24 March 2076.
A year later, on 9 Chait 2077, the complete ban was lifted and quotas were set for imports. After four years, the import quota of betel nut, banana and pepper has been removed by publishing a notice in the gazette on February 1. Now any trader can import as much betel nut as he wants.
In order to import betel nuts, there is a provision that the industry must have been in operation for at least five years, and now the government will allow anyone to import them. However, traders do not seem to aim to increase consumption of betel nuts in Nepal or use them as raw material to increase production and create employment. What is strange is that such betel nuts are delivered to the Indian market without even entering Nepal from a third country. Imports into Nepal and exports from Nepal are done only on paper.
In Nepal, betel nuts are mainly imported from Indonesia, Malaysia, Canada and other countries. The main purpose of that import is smuggling to India. When Indian traders import betel nuts, they incur a customs duty of at least 351 rupees per kilo, and when they import from third countries to Nepal, the customs rate is only 100 rupees. Betel nut smuggling is not a recent phenomenon.
Nepal's customs policy in the matter of importing betel nuts from third countries and smuggling them into India has been infamous since before. Occasional policy changes, such as now, have given additional discussion to this topic. It is unfortunate that the government should implement a strict policy to control smuggling using Nepalese land amid the infamous background.
Since India has open borders, our policies must address its sensitivities. We have to do our part. Otherwise, it will cause problems in the two-way legal trade of other goods and services. Primarily the state is a trusted mechanism. should be However, the credibility of the state will not be maintained when he adopts a policy of institutionalizing smuggling. In the background of being on the 'grey list' of wealth laundering, the government is considered to be unconcerned about the decline in Nepal's credibility in the international world when it adopts a smuggler-friendly policy.
The government's policy has a negative impact on Nepal's betel nut farmers. Betel nut cultivation has been increasing since last four/five years. At such a time, it would be desirable for the government to introduce a farmer-friendly policy to increase production and create employment. But with the establishment of a 'state of smuggling' in the country, it is certain that the indigenous farmers will be discouraged. It is difficult to even sell the betel nuts of the farmers.
Similarly, the certificate of origin of goods produced in Nepal is issued by the Federation of Industries, Confederation of Industries and the Chamber of Commerce. Trade and Export Promotion Center has also been giving certificates. The certificate of origin issued by them is also questioned.
Now there is a possibility that betel nuts imported from third countries with the purpose of smuggling can easily get a certificate of origin. At a time when middlemen and smugglers are established, the betel nuts of indigenous farmers may not get a certificate of origin. The voice of the common farmer is almost certain not to be heard. At such times, farmers may flee from the profession.
Government may change policy from time to time. But its main purpose should be to protect the interests of indigenous farmers. We should proceed according to the strategy of increasing the consumption of betel nut produced here, connecting it with industry and production, developing capital, and creating employment.
The country becomes a middleman's paradise when policy changes are made looking only at the interests of two-four businessmen and the political class under their influence. The state has to pay the price for it over time. Therefore, the policy changes made by the government to facilitate smuggling by removing import quotas should be reconsidered.
