Kailali customs accused of secretly selling over 13 quintals of sugar

Dhangadhi: The Kailali Customs Office has been accused of secretly selling more than 13 quintals of sugar. Operators of business firms registered with the Customs Office have protested, alleging that the sale was conducted in violation of procedures and in collusion with employees and businessmen.

According to the businessmen, sugar smuggled from India should have been sold through an auction process with a public notice, as required by law. However, they have raised concerns that the Customs Office itself may have been involved in a secret transaction, claiming the sugar was sold without any public announcement.

Sources indicate that around 1,371 kg of sugar is at the center of the controversy. Business operators registered with the Customs Office have been staging regular protests in recent days over the issue.

The Customs Office, however, has denied the allegations, stating that the auction was conducted in accordance with legal provisions. The office explained that the sugar stored in its warehouse was at risk of spoiling due to ongoing building renovations, and that perishable goods can be auctioned through a ‘fast track’ process as permitted by law.

Prakash Timilsina, Information Officer at the Customs Office, said a notice regarding the auction was posted on the office’s notice board on 31 Baisakh. He stated that the sugar was sold based on applications received following that notice and dismissed the allegations of collusion as baseless.

He further explained that the office lacked adequate warehouse space after the building was set on fire during the Genji movement, and the sugar was auctioned to clear storage for maintenance work. He added that the auction was carried out in accordance with Rule 90 of the Customs Regulations, 2083, and denied any wrongdoing.

Despite this, businessmen argue that the decision to sell only sugar while leaving out other perishable goods raises serious questions about the intent of the officials involved.

Meanwhile, with India currently banning sugar exports, businessmen have expressed concern over a potential rise in illegal sugar smuggling along the border and have demanded transparency and a thorough investigation into the matter.