Shutdown by Maoists in Nepal affects industries
By ANITuesday, May 18, 2010
Marchwar (Nepal), May 18 (ANI): The Maoist insurgency in Marchwar district of Nepal has led to huge industrial losses, as both industrialists and workers are facing problems due to recent shutdown called by the Maoists.
Talking to reporters, Bidur Dhungana, General Manager of Jagdamba Cement, said: ” The shutdown has affected transport services because of which the goods are not delivered on time.
“The shutdown has affected transport services because of which in the hilly areas, there is lack of food supply…common people are not receiving the supply on time, which has led to increase in prices, and instead of industrial growth there is a downfall. If the situation remains the same it shall worsen things for the country,” Dhungana said.
The daily-wage worker has been the most affected by the shutdowns.
“The situation has led to problems. What will the common man do in case of such shutdowns? How will they earn? How will we pay them salary? For businessmen, it’s not that huge a concern but for those who survive on daily wages, for them it’s a huge concern,” said Ganesh K Nelsan, Managing Director of Ayur Shri Private Limited.
Manufactured goods are not reaching the market on time, which has affected supply and demand, both.
Even though large-scale industries are surviving, cottage and small-scale industries are facing a lot of problems.
The shutdowns are threatening the entire economy of Nepal, as they have already hit the industrial sector hard.
On May 9, police had scuffled with Maoists supporters and fired teargas shells after demonstrators tried to picket a government building in Kathmandu.
The violence came a day after the Maoists called off an indefinite strike on May 8 demanding that the government step down.
The strike, which shutdown shops and stopped all transportation entirely, had literally paralysed the Himalayan nation since May 2.
The strike was called off due to both domestic and international pressure on the Maoists to find a more peaceful means to get their message through. (ANI)
