India has said it is aware of reports regarding enforcement by Nepali authorities of a pre-existing provision requiring customs duty on goods purchased in India valued above Rs 100 carried by cross-border travelers.
“We understand this measure is intended to curb informal trade and smuggling,” said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
He also noted statements from senior Nepali officials indicating that individuals carrying household goods for personal use will not be obstructed. India has further added that India is in talks with
Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal leader and National Assembly member Mahant Thakur has said that ordinary people are facing hardship at border crossings and that due to state indifference, they are “close to rebellion.”
Thakur complained in a meeting of the National Assembly’s Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee on Wednesday that people are being forced to pay tax even on goods worth more than Rs 100 and are being made to wait for hours, while treatment is based on appearance and includes humiliation.
“People are being made to wait for hours under the pretext of taxation even for goods worth more than Rs 100. They are being treated based on appearance and are being insulted,” he said.
“People are forced to cross the border for food items like rice, flour, salt, and cooking oil due to necessity in the Indian market. Even when bringing one or two kilos of such goods, there is fear of being looted or having items confiscated at the border.”
Thakur warned that if the situation continues, it could lead to rebellion. “We are not rebels, but if such state behavior continues, we are very close to rebellion,” Thakur said.
He also objected to what he called harsh treatment by the state in the Nepal–India “roti-beti” relationship, saying wedding vehicles are being stopped and wedding processions are being forced to walk, which is damaging the cultural environment between the two countries.
Calling the current government a “helicopter government,” he said ministers based in the capital do not understand the suffering of people in the Madhes region.
