Nepal customs duty on India border goods over NPR 100 prompts Madhesi protests in Kathmandu

Madhesi youths held a protest in Kathmandu on Saturday over Nepal’s new customs duty rule. The policy charged duty on goods brought from India worth over NRs 100. Demonstrators and several lawmakers from border areas said the change had disrupted daily life. They asked the government to relax restrictions affecting people living near the India-Nepal border.

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Nepal started charging customs duty on items above Rs 100 from mid-April. The rule began on Baisakh 1, 2083, the Nepali New Year day. The decision hit the Terai region hard. The southern plains border India and depend on frequent small purchases. Residents said the move affected routine travel and basic household needs.

Madhesi protest against Nepal customs duty on India border goods

About 100 youths from Madhesi communities gathered at Maitighar Mandala with placards. They raised slogans during the demonstration. The slogans were "Cancel customs duty, Respect Madhesi people, Dont kill the poor people\". Protesters said the duty burden fell on low-income families. They also said the restriction made everyday cross-border shopping difficult.

Kaushal Kumar Singh, president of Other Backward Class OBC Federation, Nepal, criticised the tax on small items. \"The imposition of tax on small items being brought from across the border by people living in the border area have not only obstructed free movement of people across the border but also damaged our centuries-old relations with the southern neighbour,\" Singh told. Singh said daily essentials, food items, clothings, and gift items were affected.

Lawmaker delegation seeks easing Nepal customs duty rules at India border

Tapeshwor Yadav, Madhes Province President of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party RSP, objected to public hardship. A local media report said Yadav raised concerns for Madhes Province and other border areas. Yadav is also a Member of Parliament for Siraha-4. The report linked the hardship to stricter checks by security forces.

A delegation of lawmakers from Madhesh and Lumbini provinces met Home Minister Sudan Gurung on Saturday. Yadav led the group, according to reports. They said the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police enforced the policy at crossings. The rule restricted imports over 100 rupees. It also required customs clearance for such goods.

News portal Ratopati said Yadav sought immediate easing at border points. Ratopati reported Yadav cited the historical roti-beti relationship between Nepal and India. The report also noted centuries-old trade and marriage ties across communities. Yadav also referred to Nepali workers employed in north Bihar in India. The MP said long-used practical rules were being ignored.

Ratopati also quoted Yadav on the need for balance in enforcement. Yadav said strictness was needed against drug trafficking and money laundering. Yadav also urged flexibility for household and productive goods. Singh said wedding and festival shopping also faced disruption. Many families often rely on Indian markets for such purchases.

Protests spread over Nepal customs duty and India border restrictions

Yadav said protests occurred in Sralahi, Parsa, Siraha and Dhanusha on Friday and Saturday. The gatherings opposed the customs duty decision. Yadav said demonstrations could expand to other Madhes districts soon. Yadav linked further protests to whether the new charges were withdrawn. Organisers said the issue concerned daily survival and mobility.

An NGO, Nepal-India Open Border Dialogue Committee, also issued a statement on the rule. The committee urged the government to allow custom free transport movement for 48 hours. It said this would help visits to bordering towns and important religious sites. The committee also demanded zero customs duty on household items. The calls added pressure for policy changes.

With inputs from PTI