KATHMANDU: President of the Nepali Congress Gagan Kumar Thapa has described the proposed rule requiring customs duty on goods worth over Rs 100 in border areas with India as impractical and troublesome for local residents.
Speaking after visiting the Madhubani area in the border region of Sarlahi, Thapa said the rule has made daily life difficult for people living along the border.
“I have returned with deep frustration and anger after interacting with local residents,” he said.
Thapa noted that the new provision has created unnecessary hurdles for workers and ordinary citizens carrying small goods across the border.
“Even a packet of biscuits has led to a worker being stopped for two hours. People are now forced to cross the border with fear,” he said.
He added that while similar regulations existed earlier, previous governments refrained from enforcing them strictly due to their impractical nature.
Admitting shortcomings during his party’s time in government, Thapa said there is now a need to correct such policies.
Calling the rule “anti-citizen rather than citizen-friendly,” he said it has directly affected the daily lives of people in the Madhesh region.
He also questioned the rationale behind the policy, noting that even customs authorities have acknowledged minimal revenue gains from such strict enforcement.
Thapa urged the government to immediately withdraw the decision, restore smooth cross-border movement, and ensure dignity for border communities.
He further emphasized that border areas should be understood as important economic, cultural, and social hubs of the nation.
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