FNCCI welcomes govt’s decision not to renew any transportation committees

KATHMANDU, April 19: Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has welcomed the government’s decision not to renew any transportation committees registered at the District Administration Offices.
The government on Wednesday decided not to renew 305 public transport committees which are enforcing monopoly in public transport in the name of social service.
However, the transport entrepreneurs have denied that they have imposed any syndicate in public transport while accusing the government of unnecessarily controlling the transport business by bringing the transport working procedures directing without consulting with them.
The transport entrepreneurs have also called step-wise strikes in protest against the government.
The government has renewed its pledge to end syndicate in public transport sector after the eleven committees of public vehicles operators obstructed Mayur Yatayat from plying the Araniko Highway earlier this month. The committees have demanded the Department of Transport Management scrap the route permit issued to Mayur Yatayat, which is running 24 new buses with additional facilities for passengers.
FNCCI, issuing a press statement on Thursday, backed the government decision arguing that any form of syndicate and cartels should be terminated as they are not relevant in Nepal, a country with open market policy.
The federation has also urged the transport associations and committees to withdraw its protest programs.