“Syndicate and cartel are evils that are restricting entry of new and competitive players and have hurt businesses and private sector themselves,” said Bhatta, and asked the transporters to refrain from such practices as they were illegal. [break]
Bhatta who inaugurated the second general convention of Goods Carrier Entrepreneurs Federation (GCEF) in the Capital also threatened stringent actions against entrepreneurs if they do not abide by the country´s law.
“There are all sorts of anomalies in transportation sector. I appeal the federation to make serious attempts to eliminate those. If not, the State will step in and force corrections,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, goods transporters claimed that lack of clear laws governing the goods carriers were causing inconveniences and asked the government to formulate them immediately.
“Existing Transportation Act is largely focused on passenger services. Neither does it recognize us nor sheds light on what our responsibilities and rights are. This has caused a number of problems for us,” said Santa Bahadur Dumjan, president of GCEF.
Responding to it, Bhatta said the government was ready to address their demand. He suggested them to forward their clear vision and suggestions to the government.
Vice President of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Pradeep Jung Pandey suggested the transporters to be competitive. “Existing syndicate and cartel in the sector has made the economy expensive and unsustainable. This has affected your own business,” he stated.
Entrepreneurs, interestingly, refused to buy the statements that syndicates and cartels were rendering their services expensive. “Instead factors like undue restrictions on the movement of vehicles in different parts of the cities, lack of parking facilities and other operational level problems were adding to the cost,” said Gyandendra Kumar Shrestha, general secretary of the GCEF.
Related story
End of transport syndicate can bring down price of daily consum...
