Biz sector narrates its litany of woes

Kathmandu, March 16:

Minister for Industry Asta Laxmi Shakya today assured the business community that the government was serious about solving the industrial sector’s problems.

A team led by Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) president Kush Kumar Joshi and representatives of the Morang Industrial Association met the minister to discuss the industrial crisis that they declared yesterday.

The business community apprised the minister of problems faced by industries nationwide, the prolonged load-shedding, insecurity and labour unrest.

They asked the minister to implement the ‘No work, No pay policy’, scrap demand charges on electricity until load-shedding continues and declare industries a strike-free zone. They also asked her to ensure operation of multi-fuel plants in districts and subsidised diesel for industries.

District chambers and commodity associations under a FNCCI, Nepal Chambers of Commerce (NCC) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) representatives’ meeting yesterday had unilaterally declared an industrial crisis while accusing the government of remaining apathetic towards the industrial sector.