Govt requested to lift restriction to Upper Mustang

Kathmandu, Nov 20: People's representatives from Mustang have demanded lifting restriction imposed in some areas of Upper Mustang.     

A team of people's representatives led by Chief of District Coordination Committee, Maya Gurung, met Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Thursday, and requested the government to waive the fee charged to the foreign tourists.     

Earlier, an arrangement had been made where a foreign tourist had to mandatorily buy a package of 10 days by paying 500 US dollar. However, the Cabinet meeting held recently amended the Immigration Regulations increasing the fee to 50 US dollar per day for foreign tourist to visit the restricted area, according to the PM's Secretariat.     

The delegation put forth the demand to scrap such huge hike in fee. "Restriction has been imposed in the areas of three rural municipalities of Upper Mustang and charging high fee to the foreign tourists has discouraged them," reads a memorandum submitted by the delegation.     

Chief Maya Gurung, Chairperson of Thasang rural municipality, Pradip Thakali, Chairperson of Lo Ghekar Damodarkunda rural municipality Lopsang Chhomfel Bista, Chairperson of Gharpajhong rural municipality Mohan Singh Lalchan, Chairperson of Baragung Muktichherta rural municipality Rinjin Namgel Gurung, Chairperson of Lomanthang rural municipality, Tasi Narbu Gurung and Vice-Chairperson of Lomthang rural municipality, Chhyumi Bista Gurung were in the delegation.(RSS)