Under this system, they have asked tourism entrepreneurs to contact Jyoti Adhikari, D B Koirala, Tilak Lama, Hari Dharel, Ganesh Simkhada, Sagar Pandey and Pramod Baniya whenever Maoist party or its sister organizations call for donations and inform them how much they wish and will pay to the party.[break]
“Adoption of this one-door system will free entrepreneurs from the burden of undertaking negotiations on donation amount at the individual level,” they said, issuing circular and sending emails to the entrepreneurs, on Monday. They have argued that it would also ensure that no unscrupulous groups walk away with donations in the name of Maoist party.
Hoteliers preferring anonymity also informed Republica that Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) too has endorsed this system and is enforcing it soon. “We believe this will help manage the existing terror of Maoist´s donation drive,” a hotelier said.
Under this system, the hoteliers have agreed to collect their share of donations amount in a single basket and hand it over directly to the party, instead of dealing with it individually.
Business organizations like Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) that long urged Maoist not to compel businessmen pay donations too have succumbed to the party´s pressure and is mulling over introducing one-door system in businesses and industries as well.
“We are discussing the system with Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and will introduce it soon,” said NCC President Surendra Bir Malakar.
He, however, said that the one-door system that NCC will enforce will not just bring into record donation calls and payments made to UCPN (Maoist), but also finances paid to other political parties and groups as well.
“It will help us to maintain transparency on donations and financial supports provided by the businesses to the political parties, various armed groups in Tarai and other local groups,” said Malakar.
The business community also plans to push the government allow them deduct the amount from income for taxation purpose. “Business community is reeling under severe pressure of donation drive and it is coming not only from UCPN (Maoist),” said Malakar, referring to demands and threats of armed groups in Tarai and frequent calls for financial help from other political parties, among others.
In this connection, FNCCI and NCC has already repeatedly pushed for the government to allow them deduct donations from income for taxation purpose.
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