KATHMANDU: Notwithstanding the criticism for holding up foreign relief material in the name of custom check, Nepal ambassador to India has said customs procedures were necessary to keep tab on ‘substandard’ and ‘unwanted’ material coming in Nepal.
A day after the United Nation (UN) official pointed out unnecessary delay in delivery of relief material in Nepal due to custom checks, Nepal ambassador to India Deep Kumar Upadhyay said custom checks were necessary to keep tab on the supply of ‘substandard’ and ‘unwanted’ material. ,
Upadhyay was in Shimla to promote Nepal as tourist destination.
“We need to maintain balance between demands and supply, besides, we should know what material we are receiving,” Upadhyay told Hindustan Times.
He added that the custom formalities were not to delay the relief but to supply right type of material.
However, quake-hit Nepal needs all kind of help from everybody, but they cannot compromise with standards and safety. “Some time in the name of relief material, we have received banned items, including drugs besides some electronic items that are not the relief aid,” Upadhyay added.
Director of operations for the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs John Ging had said the quake aid was stuck in custom procedures in Nepal and the tax being imposed on donation was hampering aid distribution.
He added one should write to them (Nepal embassy) or to the Nepal government regarding the relief material, including money.
“Concerned Ministry, finance department of Nepal will exempt such help from any nation or agency for which detail had already been furnished,” he added.
The UN has also blamed Nepal for imposition of taxes on donations that has been affecting the aid.
