MP Pant Orders Immediate Halt to Illegal ‘Dhata’ Fees on Trucks Leaving Birgunj

March 12, Kathmandu – Hari Pant, Member of Parliament for Parsa Constituency No. 1, has issued directives to immediately stop the collection of illicit “dhata” fees from cargo trucks exiting the Integrated Check Post in Birgunj. MP Pant coordinated with Chief District Officer Bhola Dahal upon discovering that trucks were being restricted during the daytime and allowed to pass only at night, and he demanded this practice be ceased at once.

Despite clear government directives prohibiting the collection of “dhata” fees from cargo trucks, implementation has been lacking, prompting MP Pant to raise objections again. He emphasized that no taxes or fees may be imposed under any unauthorized title contrary to the law.

According to Pant, neither the federal nor local governments have the authority to impose fees termed “dhata” by setting up checkpoints on vehicles leaving the customs office. Business operators have long voiced complaints regarding this issue.