Biratnagar, June 24:

Betel nut (Areca catechu) worth Rs 920.8 million were imported to the country through the Biratnagar customs point without going through quarantine check process.

Regional Food Laboratory and Plant Quarantine Office, Rani checkpost, expressed concerns over the import against the government policy and Plant Protection Act 2029. Betel nut is reportedly being imported thr-ough other check points as well without going through quarantine check.

Chief of regional Food Laboratory Upendra Raya said quarantine check is a must to import betel nut, garlic, pulses and other food items.

Chief of plant quarantine office Arun Ghimire said finance ministry officials do not follow the policy made by agriculture ministry. He said the customs office had been allowing import of betel nut without quarantine check.

Last year betel nut worth Rs 538.3 million was imported. Betel nut farmers in Jhapa said import of betel nut from India and other countries.