Nepal: Authorities Must Explain Newsprint Delay

Indian Authorities Must Explain Delay In Newsprint Shipment For Nepal

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliates – the All-India Newspaper Employees’ Federation and the National Union of Journalists (India) – in expressing concern over the reported measure by Indian customs authorities to delay a 1000-tonne newsprint shipment bound for Nepal.

The newsprint, which was imported by the Kantipur group, Nepal’s largest print media organisation, has been held up in India’s Kolkata port since May 27, reportedly for customs inspection.

Sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs have been quoted in the media saying that they have been unhappy with certain aspects of the Kantipur group’s editorial stance. Top officials from the Indian embassy in Nepal have, however, denied that this has had any bearing on the customs authorities’ decision.

The customs inspection in Kolkata is, in the words of the Indian embassy in Nepal, a “routine administrative measure” that transit consignments are occasionally put through.

Under a trade-and-transit treaty between the two countries, sealed consignments bound for landlocked Nepal can pass through Indian territory unimpeded by customs formalities, unless there are grounds to suspect contraband traffic.

“We urge the Indian authorities to clear the air in this matter and allow unimpeded passage for this commodity,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“We are alarmed by reports that the Kantipur group, which publishes the largest circulated dailies in both English and Nepali, may have to suspend operations if the shipment is further delayed.

“We see it as very important that the media in Nepal should be allowed to function in an environment free of internal and external pressures, given the delicate political transition under way in the country”.

ENDS

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