"Goods are being imported to Nepal in large quantities without paying taxes. The goods mostly include tobacco products like Pan Masala, tobacco, beedi, and food items and clothes among other things," said a local, Ramesh Paneru of Parshuram Municipality.
There were about 13 sub customs offices in the Mahakali zone before the Maoist insurgency started in 1996.
But at present, just three -- one each in Baitadi, Darchula and Kanchanpur districts -- are in operation. Locals said some efforts to restore the remaining nine offices have been made over the past two years, but they have not been enough.
Another local Dal Bahadur Dhami of Kanchanpur district said trade of poultry products such as hens and eggs has also been continuing although the government has strictly banned such trade. Animal specialists warn that the increased import of Indian hens has increased the risk of bird flu in the western part of the Mahakali zone.
People of Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura and Baitadi districts have also been facing problems in the absense of sub customs offices in Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, and Baitadi districts.
Suresh Bhatta of Rupal VDC in Dadeldhura said, "The smugglers pay bribes to the Indian security officials to sneak in goods to Nepal. But the locals who depend on the local Indian market for their day-to-day purchases are the ones are being harrassed by the security personnel." Locals said the Indian Seema Suraksha Bal personnel demand bribes even for small purchases.
Furthermore, the displacement of the sub customs offices has been causing losses worth millions to the government.
Similarly, the locals of Dadeldhura had asked the District Administration Office (DAO) for immediate restoration of the Tatopani Customs office in Dadeldhura, but there has not been any progress.
Locals of Dadheldhura have demanded that the sub customs office be set up at Parashuram Ghat.
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