March 23: The government has imposed quantitative restriction on import of peas. The latest decision taken by the government allows importers to import up to 80,000 metric tons of peas in the fiscal year 2020/21. Publishing a notice on Nepal Gazette, the government said it has lifted ban on import of peas and eased the import through quota system.

Likewise, the government has allowed import of 25,000 metric tons of betel nuts, 5,000 metric tons of dates and 15,000 metric tons of black pepper for the current fiscal year.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had imposed a ban on import of items like pepper, peas, dates and betel nuts on March 24 last year to reduce the impact on foreign exchange reserve. A cabinet meeting held on 8^th March decided to lift the ban and put quantitative restriction on import of these items. The government had made this decision upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

The government has also lifted the ban on import of luxury vehicles worth more than $50,000. The situation is gradually returning back to normal so the government is also lifting the ban on import of various items. Due to the restrictions imposed on import of different items, the industrialists involved in this business were affected. Particularly, industries involved in the business of peas were extremely affected.

The industrialists have welcomed this decision made by the government. Om Prakash Mor, an industrialist involved in pea business, said this decision is praiseworthy and the current quota set by the government is also sufficient to meet the market demand. However there are confusions regarding the volume. The government has not clearly stated the allowed volume for a particular importer. Different exporters might place the import order at the same time risking the chances of not being approved by the Customs Department. So the importers have urged the government to resolve this issue as well.