Chitwan, October 3

Agitations and sit-ins launched by United Democratic Madhesi Front targeting major highways as well as border points across Tarai have adversely affected economic activities in Chitwan.

The scarcity of fuel and raw materials has hit the industrial sector hard.

A majority of factories have pulled down their shutters, others have not been able to transport their products to markets for want of fuel.

Krishna Prasad Adhikary, former Chairman of Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce Chitwan chapter, said the agro-based industries were worst hit due to fuel shortage. Adhikary added that more than 50 per cent of the factories had pulled down their shutters in the district.

Entrepreneur Tara Prasad Paudel said he had to shut his three iron factories due to fuel shortage. “I am compelled to borrow loan at high interest rates to pay employees,” Paudel added.

Acute shortage of cooking gas and fuel has also affected hotels and restaurants.

Bhesraj Duwadi, proprietor of Hotel Star, demanded that the government include hotels on the priority list and provide fuel as per the provision.

Chitwan FNCCI Chairman Kalyan Joshi said, “Fuel crisis has adversely affected the poultry industry.”

Gyanendraman Shakya, proprietor of Lokman and Sons Gold Shop in Narayangadh, said transaction of gold and silver had diminished by 90 per cent. With Dashain festival fast approaching, there has been scarcity of clothes and textiles. Narayan Paudel, of Fashion and Style in Narayangadh, said they were failing to meet customers’ demands due to shortage of the clothes in the market.