Bandhs incur loss of Rs 50 b to Sunsari-Morang industries

MORANG: The shutdown being imposed by the United Democratic Madhesi Front (UDMF) in the Eastern Tarai districts for last 16 days has incurred a loss of Rs 50 billion to industries in Sunsari-Morang Corridor, according to Industry Organization, Morang.

The industries and factories in Biratnagar, an industrial town, have remained closed while business activities in the corridor have also come to a grinding halt, said Shivashankar Agrawal, President of the Industry Organization, Morang.

The shutdown has hit people from all walks of life, including students, office-goers and daily wage earners, added President Agrawal.

The huge quantity of raw-materials stored in the factories have started to go in vain, shared Agrawal. He bemoaned that the agitators had been mainly targeting the industries and factories in lack of government assurance for safety and security.

Agrawal affirmed that industries and factories would remain open if the local government would assure the business fraternity in the locality of providing security.

"The shutdown has caused more than Rs 150 million per day to the industries in the corridor," informed Tanka Dulal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Eastern Region.