National
Govt to India: Let goods in
Amid critical shortages of goods and warning by different agencies of an impending humanitarian crisis, the government on Monday urged India to open the entry pointsAnil Giri
Amid critical shortages of goods and warning by different agencies of an impending humanitarian crisis, the government on Monday urged India to open the entry points and ease the supply of essentials, including medicines, gas, and petroleum products.
Passing a special resolution, a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister KP Oli called on the southern neighbour to work towards improving ties between the two countries. This is the first time that the government has made such a request since the beginning of the supply restrictions on September 22.
The resolution will be communicated to the Indian side through diplomatic channels, said Minster for Information and Communication Sher Dhan Rai.
While India maintains that supply restrictions is due to the political unrest on the Nepali side, Indian officials acknowledge the hardship the restrictions on supplies is causing to everyday life. Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae told the Post on Monday that the government of India constantly reviews its foreign policy and this is a very sensitive and difficult situation that is going on in Nepal. “We are aware and understand the suffering that the people are undergoing. But as I said before, our fundamental understanding of the situation is that this is due to political difficulties within Nepal and we hope that there will be an early resolution of the issues which would facilitate an uninterrupted supply from India.”
The Cabinet meeting also passed another resolution on addressing some of the demands of the agitating Madhes-centric parties.
“To resolve the current impasse, the government is ready to address the demands through peaceful talks,” read the Cabinet decision.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister Office after the meeting said that the government is making everything it can to address the demands of the agitating parties.
Some of the demands of the agitating parties like free treatment to injured people during the Tarai protest, withdrawing false charges against the leaders and cadres who were arrested during the agitation, and process of providing Rs 1 million to the families of the deceased have already begun, said the statement.
The government has fulfilled almost all demands of the agitating Madhes-based parties, said Rai.