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Betel nut farming is done in 4,054 hectares in five districts of Koshi Province. The annual production is around 15,000 tons. However, local farmers are facing difficulty in finding a market for their produce.

Local farmers say that they are not getting fair prices for their products. They say this leaves them with no option but to accept whatever prices are offered. While the government is encouraging farmers to invest in betel nut farming, they lament that the government is not doing the needful to find a market for their produce.

In the fiscal year 2022/23, Koshi Province produced 14,561 tons of betel nuts. But local farmers failed to secure a reasonable price for their crops.

Surendra Sah, who has been in the betel nut business for the past three decades in Arjundhara Municipality of Jhapa, blames government indifference for the farmers’ plight. “High-quality betel nuts are smuggled to India by middlemen. They then import nuts of inferior quality for distribution in Nepal,” Shah said. “Instead of promoting exports, the government appears to be encouraging betel nut imports. This has put the farmers in a precarious situation.”

Organizing a press conference recently, local farmers demanded that the government allow them to export betel nuts to buyers in third countries. They have threatened to launch protests if the government failed to address their concerns.

According to the Nepal Betel Nut Farmers Initiation Committee, over a million farmers are engaged in betel nut cultivation. They argue that the availability of imported betel nuts at low prices negatively affects local farmers’ income. Gita Prasad Adhikari, president of the committee, said that the local farmers should be allowed to sell betel nuts to buyers in third countries. “If our demands are not met, over a million farmers will take to the streets,” he warned.

Farmers face challenges

Dipendra Dhakal from Arjundhara-8, Jhapa, has betel nut plants covering all his land. His farm is located within the Betel Nuts Production Zone designated by the government. However, he faces difficulties when attempting to sell his produce in the market. Two years ago, security personnel harassed him, suspecting him of smuggling betel nuts. “The police demanded proof that these products were grown on my farm,” he recalled. “Betel nut production is good, and the demand in the market is also high. However, taking betel nuts to the market is a challenge.”

Due to such hassles, farmers like Dhakal often sell their betel nuts to buyers who approach their farms, even if the prices offered are low. Many of these buyers come from India.

Betel nut farming and trade in Nepal began before the 1990s. The trade centered in the bordering areas of Koshi Province. Indian traders used to come to Nepal to place orders for betel nuts grown in Nepal. But the situation has changed now. 

Kakarbhitta used to be the hub of betel nut trade in Nepal. There is still a street named ‘Supari (betel nut) Lane’ in Kakarbhitta. Today, betel nuts are no longer traded but are instead smuggled, according to locals.

Local residents claim that the government led by Baburam Bhattarai introduced stricter regulations for betel nut trade in January, 2011 by making certificate of origin mandatory for betel nut exports. Since then, Nepali farmers have been grappling with challenges.

According to the 1950 Treaty of Trade and Commerce between Nepal and India, Nepal cannot export goods imported from a third country to India. However, betel nuts imported from countries like Indonesia are being smuggled into India by Indian ‘couriers’ through routes like Mechi Bridge and the riverbanks.

The government initially tasked the Nepal Betel Nuts Farming Development Committee with issuing certificates of origin to betel nut farmers. However, a legal dispute over alleged discrepancies in the issuance of certificates led to a standstill in betel nut exports from Jhapa. Local farmers were left with unsold produce as traders exclusively focused on sending imported betel nuts to Indian markets.

“Traders are sending imported betel nuts to India, while our produce rots in warehouses due to a lack of buyers,” Radheshyam Neupane, a farmer from Arjundhara, lamented the situation.

Farmers in Jhapa insist that local production can meet domestic betel nut demand and are puzzled as to why the government allows betel nut imports. “Now that imports have been opened up, our betel nuts won’t find buyers,” Nilkanth Tiwari from the Betel Nut Zone in Jhapa said. Betel nuts, imported from third countries, are being smuggled into India from Nepal as the southern neighbor levies high import duty on betel nuts.

Since the provincial assembly elections on December 26, 2022, Koshi has witnessed a series of changes in leadership. Hikmat Karki from the CPN-UML and Uddhav Thapa from the Nepali Congress both took turns as chief minister within a short period. However, their administrations fell as they failed to win a vote of confidence.

Presently, Kedar Karki, aligned with Nepali Congress’ anti-establishment faction, has been sworn in as the chief minister of Koshi province, succeeding Parshuram Khapung, the province chief, in compliance with Article 168 of the Constitution. He secured his position on Saturday with the backing of 47 members of the Province Assembly. Karki, known for his proximity to NC leader Shekhar Koirala, managed to clinch the chief ministership with the support of 39 PA members from CPN-UML and eight PA members from the NC, despite opposition from the coalition government at the Center against a new coalition in Koshi.

Currently, Koshi has sidestepped the need for midterm elections. However, the political turmoil unfolding in Koshi since the Nov 2022 polls is a glaring example of the avarice within the Nepali political fraternity. It unequivocally reflects how the country’s precarious state in every aspect can be attributed to the actions of politicians. These political leaders demonstrate an inability to govern the country in an organized manner and adhere to the constitutional framework. Because of these politicians, the constitution has become nothing but an ordinary paper.

In the past, Nepal maintained a cohesive foreign policy that garnered respect. However, this approach was disregarded by politicians, and they have struggled to formulate a coherent replacement. Our political leaders express divergent views on the national foreign policy. Even the same politicians present varying stances in different gatherings and platforms. For instance, when visiting the US, they endorse the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Conversely, during visits to China, they show appreciation for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Their positions are contradictory.

Nepal has sufficient natural, human, financial and infrastructural resources that can be utilized or managed effectively to enhance the country’s economic, social and overall development. These resources include minerals, water resources, agricultural land, skilled workforce, tourism potential and more. With proper planning, utilization and management of these resources, Nepal can achieve growth, improve living standards and enhance its overall prosperity. But a failed leadership has kept the country in a mess.

Despite operating within a multi-party system, Nepal is increasingly trending toward an autocratic and a single-party rule due to the prevalent practice of forming coalitions. Consequently, this trend has diminished parliamentary competitiveness. The present ruling coalition perceives itself as beyond the bounds of the Constitution and has engaged in numerous actions that surpass the confines of the legal framework.

Even neighboring countries have not extended us significant help in maintaining peace, prosperity and fostering development. It's evident that they prioritize actions that align with their own interests, and it is our responsibility to ensure our own well-being. 

At present, the Nepali Congress holds a pivotal position in the Parliament. It should ideally lead the country, but the current leadership of the party appears to lack a clear direction. They have struggled to maintain the traditional essence and values of the party. Given the state of Nepali political parties, our parliamentary system is at the risk of faltering.

There is an urgent need for a strong leadership within the Nepali Congress. As the largest democratic party in Nepal, it’s vital for the party to function effectively and set a proper course. This would not only benefit the party but also contribute positively to the national political landscape.

What if political parties, especially the Congress, fail to deliver? Such failure could lead the country toward another wave of political change, something we have been witnessing over the decades. 

The author is a member of the Supreme Court Bar and has been practicing corporate law for around three decades

Koshi Province Chief Minister Kedar Karki is seeking a vote of confidence in the Province Assembly on October 18.

Appointed as the Chief Minister in accordance with Article 168 (5) of the Constitution, CM Karki has registered a proposal in the Province Assembly for a vote of confidence as per Article 168 (4), said Province Assembly secretary Gopal Prasad Parajuli.

Article 168 (4) states that a person appointed the chief minister should seek a vote of confidence from the Province Assembly within 30 days of the appointment.

Koshi Province Chief Parshuram Khapung had appointed Karki as the Chief Minister on October 14.

Kedar Karki, a leader from the Nepali Congress’ anti-establishment camp, has taken the oath of office and secrecy as the chief minister of Koshi province from Parshuram Khapung, the province chief, in accordance with Article 168 of the Constitution.

He was elected on Saturday with support from 47 members of the Province Assembly. Karki, considered close to NC leader Shekhar Koirala, managed to become the chief minister with support of 39 PA members from the CPN-UML and eight PA members from the NC, though the coalition government at the Center was against a new coalition in Koshi.  

CPN (Maoist Center) parliamentary party leader Indra Bahadur Angbo had also staked a claim for the post with the signatures of 47 members. However, Angbo was not present for verification of the signatures.

After the NC’s rebel candidate Karki came to power in Koshi, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and leader Koirala held a meeting at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday morning, agreeing to give Karki a vote of confidence.

Since 26 Dec 2022, when province assembly elections were conducted, Koshi has seen a frequent change of guard. Hikmat Karki of the UML and Uddhav Thapa of the NC each became chief minister of the province in a short span. However, their governments collapsed as they could not win the vote of confidence.

Responding to journalists’ queries, Karki described his appointment as the lawmakers’ “conscious and responsible decision” to avoid mid-term polls in the province. He said the new government was the result of joint efforts from provincial assembly members to rekindle hope among the people for development and prosperity of Koshi.

After Hikmat Karki of the UML resigned as the chief minister on Oct 7, province Chief Khapung had invited assembly members to lay claims to the high office by 5 pm Friday (Oct 13).

After taking the oath, Karki, the new CM, has formed a three-member Cabinet by appointing Shamsher Rai of the Nepali Congress and Ram Rana of the UML as ministers without portfolio. 

Meanwhile, parliamentary party leader of the NC’s Koshi province assembly Uddhav Thapa has resigned. He said it was not ethical to remain in power at a time when a new government had taken shape in the province.

Newly appointed Chief Minister of Koshi Province Kedar Karki expanded his Cabinet on Sunday.

Soon after taking the oath of office and secrecy, Karki expanded his Cabinet by inducting two ministers.

He appointed Ram Rana of CPN-UML and Shumsher Rai of Nepali Congress as ministers.

Both of them have already taken the oath of office and secrecy.

Karki was appointed as the chief minister with the support of eight lawmakers of Nepali Congress and 39 of CPN-UML.

After being appointed as the chief minister, Karki held a meeting with UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli in Balkot on Sunday.

Karki became the chief from the Shekhar Koirala faction of the Nepali Congress.

CPN (Maoist Centre) provincial assembly leader Indra Bahadur Angbo had staked a claim for the chief ministerial post from the current alliance.

The candidate of the alliance was deprived of being the chief minister after the Koirala faction with the support of the UML put forward Karki’s name.

UML’s Chief Minister Hikmat Karki had resigned from his post after he failed to secure a vote of confidence.

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) decided to stay neutral in the formation of a new government in Koshi Province.

A meeting of the central office-bearers of the party held at Central Office, Dhumbarahi, on Friday made the decision to this effect.

The meeting called for holding discussions on the recently developed scenario in Koshi Province, the country's overall political and social situation and to determine the party's strategy in this regard, said RPP Spokesperson and Publicity Department Chief, Mohan Kumar Shrestha.

Shrestha said, "We have seriously reviewed the scenario developed in Koshi Province. The meeting decided to remain neutral regarding the matter of selecting the new Chief Minister. Decision will be taken if needed."

Since the Supreme Court previously invalidated the appointment of Uddhav Thapa as Chief Minister of Koshi Province, the court’s judgment was quite clear. Actions prohibited directly are also prohibited indirectly under the law. The act of voting is restricted for the speaker or chair of the House unless it involves a tiebreaker vote.

The speaker must maintain a politically neutral and unbiased stance, other arguments are flawed reasoning. Israil Mansuri, despite not being the elected speaker, should adhere to the speaker’s protocols since he is presiding over the assembly proceedings as the speaker.

In other countries, this situation could lead to legal action as it goes against the system and violates the Constitution.

The only viable solution is to dissolve the Koshi assembly and go for fresh polls, as it appears unlikely for any coalition to form a government. The assembly should not be made hostile for a long time.

The author is constitutional lawyer

The CPN-UML has moved the Supreme Court against the vote of confidence taken unconstitutionally by Koshi Province Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa.

The UML filed a writ at the apex court arguing that Thapa sought the vote of confidence against the Constitution.

UML Koshi Province Parliamentary Party leader and former Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki along with other leaders had reached the Supreme Court to register the writ.

Speaker Israel Mansuri had also cast his vote while Thapa, also the Nepali Congress Koshi Province Parliamentary Party leader, was seeking a vote of confidence.

There is a provision that the Speaker cannot vote to form a new government. The Speaker can cast a decisive vote if there is a tie.   

UML Koshi Province Parliamentary Party Chief Whip Rewati Raman Bhandari said that the process of filing a petition in the Supreme Court has been taken ahead as the Chief Minister took the vote of confidence by violating the Constitution.

“We have given the writ. It is in the process of registration. The vote of confidence was sought against the Constitution, law and parliamentary practice. Our demand that it should be annulled,” he said.

Thapa was appointed as the Chief Minister on August 1.

He sought the vote of confidence from the Province Assembly on Monday.

Koshi Province Chief Minister Uddhav Thapa won a vote of confidence from the provincial Parliament on Monday.

Province Assembly member Israel Mansuri, who presided over the Province Assembly, announced that Thapa won the vote of confidence.

In the 93 Province Assembly, Thapa garnered 47 votes while 30 lawmakers cast their votes against Thapa.

Mansuri said that 77 lawmakers were present in the meeting held on Monday.