KATHMANDU: The Committee on Industry, Commerce and Labour and Consumer Welfare has drawn the attention of the government to resolve the issue of land that has not been made available for the industrial sector within 14 days.

Committee Chair Rahbar Ansari urged the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies to prioritise the management of land in Simara and Morang for the industrial development sector and facilitate it immediately. Stating that around 400 bighas of land is vacant in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Simara, he said that industries can be set up within two to three years if the industrial development zone is taken on lease.

“The receiver is trying to take it, the giver is trying to give. If we want to facilitate it, it is said that the work can be done in seven days, but instead of seven days, we will extend the time and do it in 14 days, but this issue should be settled,” he said. President Ansari drew the attention of Minister Deepak Kumar Sah to give special priority to the issue of land management saying that there was not enough land available for the industrial corridor.

He said that if industries could be established in Morang and Bara, there would be significant progress in employment and production. The issue was also raised in the meeting that although there was enough land for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Morang Industrial Corridor, it could not be utilized.

The committee has directed the Ministry of Finance to immediately update the scanners at the customs and bring them into working condition. The committee had expressed concern over the irregularities in the customs. Ansari said that the necessary process should be initiated to review the scrap tax by discussing with the stakeholders, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry.