India partially releases Nepali newsprint

Kathmandu, Jun 26: In the wake of outrage over India holding Nepali newsprint, India partially released the newsprint consignments on Friday, Jun 25.

The allegation that its authorities were holding up supplies of newsprint imported by Nepalese publications from third countries has been dismissed by India.

11 Out of 39 containers of newsprint, held up in Kolkata port, have been released and the rest will be released shortly, reported by the Kathmandu Post newspaper.

The newsprint consignments for the Kantipur publications had been held up in Kolkata for customs inspection.

The consignments were released only after the assurance from the Indian Ambassador Rakesh Sood to the Kantipur publication that the embassy had already taken up the issue and process has already been initiated for the early resolution of the concerning problem.

The Indian embassy had expressed regret over the media publicity regarding the matter that had sparked a row in Nepal.

"Customs examination of transit consignments is a routine administrative measure and the imputation of motives in such a matter by two newspapers is highly regrettable," said the Indian embassy.

An investigation order has been issued by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament to probe into the matter.

OneIndia News