Business dwindles in Doti due to Indian blockade

DOTI, Nov 2: Cosmetics seller Nawaraj Joshi of Dipayal sold goods worth Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per a day on a normal day. The India imposed blockade, however, has badly affected his business.

Joshi has not been able to replenish his stocks because of which he has been turning away many customers every day. "Usually, the time around Dashain and Tihar festivals are the busiest in terms of business. This time around, however, I hardly get any customers," he complained. "I have to send away even the ones who visit my shop due to lack of stocks."

Hotel owners are grappling with similar situation. "We didn't get customers a few months ago due to the devastating earthquake. Now our businesses have been dwindling due to the India imposed blockade that ," said Deepak Khadka, operator of Yatri Plaza Hotel. "Acute shortage of daily necessities, including fuel, cooking gas, cooking oil, rice and other food materials has completely paralyzed our business," added Khadka, who is also the chairman of Hotel Entrepreneur Association, Doti.
The effect of the blockade is visible in every other business. As the district does not have factories and industries, most of the businesses here are in the form of trades and small enterprises. The marketplaces which used to be crowded with customers during festive seasons are almost empty.

"Around 60 to 70 percent of our market is fully dependent on imports from India. As imports from India are almost nil these days, our businesses have been sharply dwindling," said Narendra Khadka, chairman of Doti chapter of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI).

According to him, most of the businesses in the district are on the verge of collapse. "Many of the entrepreneurs are unable to repay their bank loans. At such critical situation, banks should extend the deadline to repay debt," stressed Khadka.

Likewise, transport operators also have not been able to run their vehicles freely due to the blockade. "Distribution of fuel has almost stopped completely. More than 50 percent of vehicles have been forced to stay off the road due to the ongoing fuel crisis," said Harish Shah, secretary of Shaileshori Transport Entrepreneur Committee.

"We hardly get 10 liters of fuel every two to three days. The fuel lasts only for one or two days. If we operate only once or twice a week, we will not be able to cover our staffs' salary and suffer losses," he added. "All types of businesses are on the verge of collapse."