KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Dilendra Prasad Badu said industries would be allowed for importing betel nut as per the need.

Minister Badu also said the government has permitted for the import of betel nut as per the need of the industry.

He claimed that the government has permitted the import of nut only for industrial purposes when there was mounting complaint from industrialists that they did not get the necessary raw materials.

“The government took the decision to allow the import of raw materials only required for the industry after rising complaint. The current problem has resulted in due to opaque decision of the erstwhile government. We are managing the import. No industry would be closed in lack of raw materials”, he added.

The Minister stressed the need to open import of betel nuts. “The committee had restricted the import for study. Let us get any recommendation of the study. If not let us allow the import”, Minister Badu noted.