Traders demand for plant quarantine at customs office

By Our Correspondent,Chandrapur (Rautahat), Apr. 15: Traders of Rautahat have submitted a memorandum to the Finance Minister through the Gaur Customs Office, demanding for the establishment of plant quarantine at the customs office.

The delegation of traders led by local businessman Kaushal Sah submitted a memorandum demanding immediate arrangement of plant quarantine at the Gaur Customs Office to bring food and agricultural goods.

Although import and export at the Gaur Customs Office, which was established in 2033 BS, have been facilitated, the concerned bodies have been indifferent to the establishment of plant quarantine for agricultural and food imports, he said.

He said that they have been compelled to resort to an agitation after the government did not pay attention to establish plant quarantine at the customs office, said Sah.

Despite taking the initiative to establish plant quarantine, there has been no response from anywhere, so traders here are forced to import food and fruits through Birgunj and Malangwa Customs.

Submitting a memorandum to Customs Officer of the Gaur Customs Office Amindra Singh, Sah said that if the matter is not heard, there will be a sit-in demonstration at the main gate of the Gaur Customs Office from April 20-28, and an indefinite lockout of the Customs Office from April 29. 

While receiving the memorandum, Customs Officer Singh said the he would inform Department of Customs about the problems and constraints faced by the traders here.

He said that he will send the memorandum of understanding to the Ministry of Finance.