Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Udayapur, January 12

Despite the popularity of Tejpatta, a kind of leaf used as spice, its supply has been affected due to the attitude of contractors.

About 300 quintals of Tejpatta used to be brought to the weekly market of Gaighat, Beltar and Katari bazaar every week from various village development committees of the district until a few years ago.

However, the supply of the Tejpatta has decreased to 60 kg, according to Inkumar Shah, member of the Udaypur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI).

The main reason of the decrease in the supply is lack of market and the taxes, he added.

"I started Tejpatta farming in my 10 ropanis of land but the tax collected by the contractors created difficulties in business," says Nir Bahadur Rai, a farmer of Japla VDC.

The contractors take the benefit of our products and we have to suffer, said another farmer Chandra Man Rai of Sanbu VDC.

"We cannot sell our produce to others except the contractors and the contractors take advantage of it," he said.

When asked about the difficulties of the farmers, chief of the district forest office Raj Mani Dhital said, "We have given contract to contractors to collect Rs 10 per kg. We do not know how much the contractors are collecting," he said.

The contractors pay only Rs five per kg and we are compelled to pay Rs 13 to 18 per kg, the farmers complained. "Even we have to pay additional amount to the district forest office from Gaighat to Kathmandu," they added. "Why should we collect Tejpatta, if there is no benefit for us?" asked Govind Raut, a Tejpatta collector.

Locals urge the government to make appropriate policy for the collection of Tejpatta, which has a medicinal value.