Government to Take Stern Action against Frauds: Cde. Jagat Simkhada

9 Sept, 2020 Kathmandu: ANTUF Central President Comrade Jagat Simkhada has remarked that firm action should be taken against the increasing fraud and those found guilty who are operating in the name of Holding Centre. He said that in the name of Holding Centre, some groups and individuals operating centres are making the returnee migrants pay them excessive amount while giving away little to transport associated workers and self-employed entrepreneurs. He also said increasing fraud should be investigated and those found guilty should be punished.

There are growing grievances that rescued people from abroad are being transported by Holding Centre on a setting as syndicate, he further said. This should be promptly investigated, guilty should be punished, and environment should be made conducive for taking the passengers to their destinations with ease, without hassles of high travel rates. He has brought these matters to the attention of three levels of government.

Transport associated workers, and self-employed entrepreneurs have expressed readiness to take these foreign returned passengers to their destinations on accessible rates but passengers have been victimized by these fraudulent groups in the name of Holding Centre; concerned office should promptly take firm action to these frauds who are cheating passengers, workers, and entrepreneurs alike, stressed Mr Simkhada.

President Simkhada who is also Bagmati Province parliamentarian has expressed dissatisfaction and sadness over the cheating of workers and entrepreneurs by middlemen through Holding Centre which is run to prevent and control COVID-19 pandemic. He called for end of syndicate of vehicles taking foreign returned passengers to their native villages from the Holding Centre.

Nepali workers who are in various foreign countries for employment have become literally broken and stranded due to the pandemic. When they are returning to their homeland, they are being cheated, conned, and harassed openly by different groups along with government involvement before they reach their homes. In this light, ANTUF has raised serious concern and called on the three levels of government to act responsibly in taking action against the guilty.

It is criminal to cheat self-employed small entrepreneurs/workers working for their livelihood and desperate passengers by syndication of some entrepreneur organizations and individuals, and their vested interests, ANTUF president reiterated. 50 % additional tariff is allowed but taking thousands of rupees openly and that too without issuing ticket is daylight robbery. On top of this, state machinery responsible for taking action is sleeping, unaware. This is height of impunity, he continued.

As per the work procedure of the government, after the passengers arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport, they are managed by COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre up to Holding Centre. After that, there is provision of taking responsibility by the province and local levels. Seven ministers of seven provinces have been assigned for this. But day by day, grievances and anger are increasing with the fact that even under the ministers, this is not managed properly.