KATHMANDU, July 29: A parliamentary committee has directed the government authorities concerned to make an arrangement to import and export betel nuts only after conducting DNA test.

A meeting of the Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee under the National Assembly on Thursday gave instructions to the government authorities concerned to test the betel nuts and the place where they were produced. This comes amid reports that the illegally imported betel nuts were exported to the third countries with certificate of origin showing that they were produced in Nepal.

The parliamentary committee showed interest to the issue after increasing complaints that more betel nuts are being exported abroad than the export permit. After the discussion in the meeting on Friday, the parliamentary panel has instructed the government authorities concerned to import and export only betel nuts only after DNA testing.

In the meeting of the committee, Chief of the Department of Customs Kamal Prasad Bhattarai said that local agricultural knowledge and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industry would allow export after completing the normal process and recommending it with proof that they originated in Nepal.

A few days ago, a team of police personnel stopped a truck carrying betel nuts being exported to India from Biratnagar Customs. An investigation is currently underway.  Sources said senior leaders of major political parties are also linked with the seizure of illegally imported betel nut.

In the meeting of the committee, the Revenue Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Krishna Hari Puskar, said that since the Ministry of Finance and the Customs Department will only be involved in trade facilitation, they will not have all the responsibilities.

In the same meeting, Inspector General of Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh said that the betel nut seized near Biratnagar Customs is under investigation. He said that the truck carrying betel nut that was seized had Indian customs seal. He said that the fact that Nepalese customs seals should be affixed on cargo vehicles going from Nepal to India has raised suspicions and has become a subject of investigation.

 
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