March 19: The government has lifted the ban on import of black pepper, peas, dates, and betel nuts. A meeting of the Council of Ministers held on March 9 lifted the ban on the shipments of these four items.
The government decided to allow the import of the food items only in up to a certain amount upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.  Urmila KC, undersecretary and deputy spokesperson of the Ministry, informed that the government lifted the ban on shipments of the four items based on quota system.
Further details in this regard will be published in the Nepal Gazette on March 22, she informed. Deputy Spokesperson KC said that she cannot reveal the exact quantity of the four items that can be imported into the country.
"Currently, we have made arrangements to allow the import of these items under the quota system. If imported items do not meet the demand in the future, we can reconsider the decision," she said.
The government had imposed a ban on import of most goods in April last year in a bid to control the coronavirus epidemic. The government had put a complete ban on the import of black pepper, peas, dates, and betel nuts. Similarly, the government had also restricted the import of alcohol and other goods during the period.
The government made such a decision to prevent foreign currency from flowing out during the crisis. Now that the situation is getting normal and the government has started lifting the ban.
The government lifted the ban on alcohol last September. When the government imposed a ban on imports, industrialists and traders were badly affected by the decision.
The industrialists had been making pulses from imported peas and selling them in the domestic market. Their trade had dried up after the government restricted the import. Likewise, the price had gone up due to the shortage of these items in the domestic market of Nepal.
Industrialists share that the wavier by the government will make it easier for the pulse industry to flourish.
Businessmen suggested that despite the implementation of quota system on imports, the government should not allow traders to import the goods at once. They suggest that a certain amount of goods should be allowed to be imported every month.
Some traders, however, have objected to the implementation of the quota system in the import of these items. One of the importers said the government's decision was not fair.
"The government imposed a complete ban on alcohol imports last year. However, the ban was lifted before Dashain but the ban on other food items are still in force," he said.