Although the agenda of double taxation avoidance is pushed by India, it is perceived as non-controversial as such an agreement would exempt Indian investors from taxes in India once they pay taxes in Nepal. [break]
It is believed that the singing of this treaty would boost investors´ confidence, thereby helping Nepal attract more investment from the southern neighbor.
The party standing committee meeting held on Tuesday in Kathmandu categorically instructed the PM to limit his visit as a “goodwill visit”. Nonetheless, it directed PM Bhattarai to push India for exemption of the four percent additional customs duty being imposed on Nepali commodities.
Although bilateral trade treaty provides for duty-free market access for Nepali goods to India, the Indian government had been imposing four percent additional duty on 162 different commodities. This has been affecting Nepal´s export and preventing any cut in trade deficit.
“The party also directed Bhattarai not to sign any deal other than those in favor of Nepal,” party Secretary CP Gajurel told media persons. He also warned the prime minister against signing extradition treaty, stationing of Indian air martial in Nepal, and strip map, likely to invite controversy.
According to him, India wants Nepal to sign the deal on border strip map leaving out places of Mahakali and Susta.
He stated that the prime minister would also not raise the issue of the 1950 treaty of peace and friendship between the two countries.
According to him, PM will also sign a deal on the import of 200 MW electricity from India. He said the party has asked Bhattarai to also press India to open the Bishakahapatnam port for Nepal.
Hardliners objection
Meanwhile, Maoist hardliners led by Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya and General Secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa have taken strong exception to the recent statements of party spokesperson Dinanath Sharma´s and Defense Minister Sharat Singh Bhandari.
Sharma had claimed that the party unconditionally accepted the four-point deal with the Madhes-based parties while Defense Minister Sarat Singh Bhandari had argued that 22 Tarai districts may secede to form a separate state.
The UCPN (Maoist) issued the statement on Tuesday saying the official position of the party is not to review the four-point deal, and that the party has not construed Bhandari´s statement as anti-national.
Earlier, the party´s parliamentary board had decided to ask for the resignation of Bhandari over his controversial remarks. Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had publicly stated that the four-point deal could be reviewed.
“We may issue a statement against the content of the spokesperson´s statement,” said Maoist leader Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, who is close to Baidya.
He said that the party has decided to review the four-point deal and demand Bhandari´s resignation.
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