के यस पटक बजेटमा यातायात व्यवसायी ?

कोरोना भाईरस (कोबिड - १९) चीनमा देखा परेपछि अहिले तिब्र रूपमा विश्वको करीब २ सय देशमा फैलिसकेको छ । आजसम्म संसारभर  २९ लाख ९६ हजार ६ सय ७८ मानिस यस भाईरसबाट संक्रमित भेटिएका छन् भने २ लाख ७ हजार २४ जनाको मृत्यु भईसकेको छ । संक्रमित भएका बिरामीहरू  ८ लाख ८१ ह्जार ९०३ जना  सफल उपचार पछि निको भएर आफ्नो  घर फर्किसकेको सुखद समाचार पनि आईरहेको छ ।

   छिमेकी मुलुकहरुमा भाईरसको संक्रमण तिब्र भएसंगै नेपाल यसको उच्च जोखिममा रहेको विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठनले चेतावनी दिएको थियो । लगतै नेपाल सरकारले चैत्र ११ गते देखि लकडाउन शुरू गऱ्यो । सरकारले समयमा  लकडाउन गरेता पनि नेपालमा संक्रमित ५२ जना भेटीएको छ । जसमा निको भई घर जानेमा १६ जना छन् । सरकारले देशभर संक्रमित भए नभएको पत्ता लगाउन देशको विभिन्न स्थानमा परिक्षण गरिरहेको छ । तर सरकार सदरमुकाममुखी भएकोले भने जस्तो सफलता प्राप्त गर्न सकेको छैन ।

  सरकारले लकडाउन लागू गरे देखि नै नेपाली जनता घरमै बसी लकडाउनको पूर्णरूपले पालना गरिरहेका छन् । जसको कारणले पनि कोरोना भाईरस समुदायमा फैलिनबाट रोकिएको हामी सबैलाई थाहै छ । सरकारले पटक पटक निर्णय गरेर बैशाख २५ गते सम्मको लागि  लकडाउनको समयसिमा निर्धारण गरेको छ । लकडाउनले गर्दा अहिले नेपाल मात्र नभई संसार नै ठप्प जस्तो भएको छ । सरकारले लकडाउनका लागि कुनै मापदण्ड नबनाउंदा धेरै जनताले शास्ति पनि व्योहोर्न बाध्य भएका छन् । जसको कारण स्थानिय र प्रदेश सरकार अन्योलमा देखिन्छ ।

    सरकारले गरेको लकडाउनबाट धेरै उद्योग,व्यवसायहरू धरापमा पर्ने सम्भावना बढेर गएको छ । विशेष गरेर अहिले यातायात उद्योग धेरै मर्कामा पर्ने छन । देशभर  करीब हजार भन्दा बढी यातायात कम्पनी संचालनमा छन् । जसमा अरबौ रूपैंया व्यवसायी र बैंकले लगानी गरेको छ । यातायात सेवा उद्योग रहेको हुंदा यो मानव जीवन या देशकै लागि लाईफलाईन उद्योग पनि हो । सरकारले पनि अत्यावश्यक सेवामा गणना गरेको छ । सबै प्रकारको यातायात सेवासहित १८ वटा अत्यावश्यक क्षेत्रमा बन्द–हडताल निषेध गरिएको छ ।

   त्यसैपनि सरकारले यातायात व्यवसायीहरूलाई सिन्डिकेट गरेको आरोपमा नविकरण र बैंक खाता रोक्का समेत गरेर कम्पनी ऐनमा व्यवसाय दर्ता गर्न दबाब दिएर सेन्डिकेट खारेज गर्ने महान कार्य गरेको थियो । यातायात व्यवसाय सरकारको मापदण्ड अनुसार नै संचालन भईरहेको छ । अब यो लकडाउनले व्यवसायीहरू घरखेत हुने लगभग निश्चित देखिन्छ । किनकि यो व्यवसायलाई कसैले सहयोग गरेको देखिदैन। तर सबैलाई यातायात अति आवश्यक पनि हो । अहिले सम्म कही कतै चर्चा र चिन्ताको विषय पनि बनिरहेको छैन । यो व्यवसायमा सरकारको रत्तिभर लगानी छैन, यदि यो व्यवसाय संचालन नहुने अवस्थामा पुग्यो भने सरकार फेरि अर्को लकडाउनमा जाने निश्चित छ । त्यसैले बेलैमा सरकारले यो यातायात व्यवसायलाई जोगाई राख्न विशेष राहत प्याकेज ल्याउन जरूरी छ । अन्य देशका सरकारले पनि आफ्ना देशका  व्यवसायीहरूलाई राहत सहयोग गरेको छ । साना व्यवसायीहरूलाई बिना व्याज नगद दिएको छ भने, ठूला व्यवसायीहरूलाई १ प्रतिशत व्याजमा करोडौं रकम सात वर्षलाई उपलब्ध गराएको छ ।

  यातायात व्यवसाय गर्न व्यवसायी या कम्पनीले सबै भन्दा पहिला आफ्नो घरजग्गा बैंकमा धितो राखेर ऋणमा गाडीको चेसिस लिएको हुन्छ । त्यसपछि त्यो चेसिसलाई आफुसंग भएको नगद  लगानी गरेर बोडी बनाउद्छ । चेसिसमा बोडी बनाएपछि मात्र यातायात कार्यालयमा गएर दर्ता गरि कागजपत्र बनाएर सरकारको मापदण्ड अनुसार व्यवसाय संचालनमा ल्याउछ । तब सम्म आफुसंग भएको घरजग्गा र नगद अरूको भैसकेको हुन्छ । दैनिक संचालन पश्चात् मात्र उसको बचत हुने हो । तर अहिले लकडाउनले यातायात संचालन गर्न सकेको छैन र लकडाउन पश्चात् पनि सामान्य अवस्थामा आउन महिनौ लाग्न सक्छ या फेरि पुन : देश लकडाउनमा जान सक्छ ।

    अहिले व्यवसायी या कम्पनीलाई सवारी साधनको किस्ता र व्याजको पिरोलो त छदैछ, साथै गाडी नचले पनि दैनिक स्टार्ट गरेर राख्नु पर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसको संगसंगै कर्मचारीहरूको तलब र उसको दैनिकी हेरचाह गर्ने अर्को बाध्यता रहेको सबैलाई अवगत नै छ । त्यति मात्र कहां हो र अब यो आर्थिक वर्षको आयव्यय विवरण सहितको लेखापरिक्षण गराउने कार्य त आउदैछ ।

   यो परिस्थितिमा  व्यवसायी या कम्पनीले समयमा बैंकको किस्ता र व्याज अनि कर कार्यलयमा लेखा विवरण बुझाउन सक्ने सामर्थता देखिदैन । लकडाउनले गर्दा कतिपय चालकले सवारी साधन दैनिक स्टार्ट गर्न सकेका छैनन । त्यस्ता सवारी साधनको बैट्री लकडाउन पछि काम नगर्ने अवस्था हुन सक्छ । साथै टायरको अवस्था पनि गाडी गुड्न नपाएपछि त्यसको पनि मर्मत या फेर्नु पर्ने हुन्छ । त्यसैले यो लकडाउनले यातायात व्यवसायीहरू पूर्णरूपले विस्थापित हुने अवस्थामा पुगेका छन् र अवश्य पुग्ने छन् । जेष्ठ महिना पछि बर्षा शूरू हुन्छ ,वर्षायाममा निर्माण सेवामा प्रयोग हुने सवारीहरू अझ छ महिना खडा गर्नु पर्ने हुन्छ भने मालवाहक सवारी साधन पनि पहाडी भेगमा सडकको कारण पूर्ण संचालन हुन सक्दैनन ।

   यस्ता विभिन्न कारणहरूले गर्दा यातायात व्यवसायी या कम्पनीहरू धेरै मर्का पर्ने देखिएको हुंदा सरकारले यातायात व्यवसायीलाई ठोस राहत प्याकेजको घोषणा गर्नु पर्दछ ।

यातायात व्यवसायीहरूले सरकारलाई आफ्नो स्वार्थ भन्दा माथि उठेर सेवा भावले निरन्तर सहयोग र सेवा दिदै आईरहेको कसैले बिर्सन हुदैन । यही लकडाउनको समयमा पनि देशभर खाद्यान्न र स्वास्थ्य सामाग्री पुर्याउन यातायातको साधन नै प्रयोग भईरहेको छ । ती सवारी साधनका चालकलाई न कसैले मास्क दिएको छ ,न सेनिटाईजर,न त पिपिई दिईका छन । तर देशभर खाधान्न पुर्याउनु उसले आफ्नो कर्तव्य ठानेको छ । 

काठमाडौंबाट विचल्लीमा परेकाहरूलाई उनको गृहजिल्ला पुर्याउन, कसैलाई कुनै गुनासो नगरी आफ्नो स्वास्थ्यलाई जोखिममा राखी बस चलाउने चालकलाई कसैले धन्यवाद दिएको देखिदैन । अहिले नगरपालिका र प्रदेश सरकारले जनताको घरघरमा तरकारी पुर्याउन संचालन गरेको सवारी साधनको चालकले मलाई पनि कोरोनाले संक्रमित गर्ला भन्दा पनि मैले सेवा गर्नु पर्छ भनेर नै दिनभरि टोलटोलमा तरकारी डुलाउदै छन् ।

    तसर्थ यदि सरकार जनता र व्यवसायीहरूको हो भने यस पटक यातायात व्यवसायीलाई संरक्षण गर्न अति जरूरी छ । सरकारले चाहेमा चैत्र र बैशाखको व्याज,वार्षिक कर,जांचपास र परमिट शुल्क मिनाह गर्न सक्छ । त्यतिले मात्र  पुग्दैन, कमसे कम एक वर्ष बैंक तथा वित्तीय संस्थाबाट यातायात व्यवसायीले लिएको ऋणमा लाग्ने व्याजमा सहुलियत दिनु पर्दछ । अब प्रस्तुत हुने २०७७ /७८ सालको बजेटमा  यातायात व्यवसायीलाई मात्र नभई देशलाई नै लकडाउन पश्चात् सरल ढंगले सुचारू गर्न पनि सरकारले यातायात व्यवसायीहरूको लागि ठोस राहत घोषणा गर्नै पर्दछ । 

This time in the budget transport businessmen Coronavirus (COBID -19) has spread rapidly to about 200 countries around the world since its inception in China. To date, 29.96 million people have been infected with the virus worldwide, and 272,024 people have died. There is also good news that 881,903 infected patients have returned home after successful treatment.    The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Nepal is at high risk of contracting the virus in neighboring countries. Immediately, the government of Nepal started looting on April 25. Despite the government's timely crackdown, 52 infected people have been found in Nepal. Of them, 16 are on their way home after recovery. The government is conducting tests in various parts of the country to find out if they are infected across the country. However, the government has not been able to achieve such success as it is headquartered.   Ever since the government introduced lockdown, Nepali people have been following the lockdown at home. Which is why we all know that the coronavirus has stopped spreading in the community. The government has repeatedly decided to set a deadline of April 10 for the lockdown. Due to the lockdown, not only Nepal but the world has come to a standstill. Many people have been forced to face punishment as the government has not set any criteria for the crackdown. Due to which the local and state governments seem confused.     The government's lockdown has increased the possibility of many industries and businesses being trapped. Especially now, the transport industry will be in a lot of trouble. There are more than a thousand transport companies in operation across the country. In which billions of rupees have been invested by businessmen and banks. As it is a transport service industry, it is also a lifeline industry for human life or the country. The government has also counted on essential services. Strikes have been banned in 18 essential areas, including all types of transport services.    However, the government did a great job of dismissing the syndicate by forcing the transport businessmen to register their business under the Companies Act by renewing and blocking their bank accounts. The transport business is operating according to the standards of the government. Now with this lockdown, it seems almost certain that businessmen will become home farmers. Because no one seems to be helping this business. But transportation is also very important for everyone. So far, it has not become a topic of discussion or concern. The government has not invested in this business at all. Therefore, it is necessary for the government to bring a special relief package in time to protect this transport business. Governments of other countries have also provided relief assistance to businessmen in their countries. Small businesses have been given cash without interest, while big businessmen have been provided millions of rupees at 1 percent interest for seven years.   In order to do a transport business, the entrepreneur or company first has to take a chassis of the vehicle on loan by pledging his real estate in the bank. He then builds the chassis by investing the cash he has. Only after making a body in the chassis, he goes to the transport office, registers, prepares documents and brings the business into operation according to the government's standards. By then, the land and cash you have are gone. He will be saved only after daily operation. But now the lockdown has not been able to operate the traffic and even after the lockdown, it may take months to return to normal or the country may go back to the lockdown.     At present, the businessman or company is suffering from the installment and interest of the vehicle, and even if the vehicle is not running, it has to be started daily. At the same time, everyone is aware that there is another obligation to take care of the salary and daily life of the employees. That is all there is to it and now the task of conducting an audit with the income statement of this financial year is coming.    In this situation, the businessman or company does not seem to be able to submit the account details to the bank's installment and interest and tax office in time. Due to the lockdown, some drivers have not been able to start their vehicles daily. The battery of such a vehicle may not work after it is broken. Also, the condition of the tires has to be repaired or replaced as the vehicle is not allowed to run. So this lockdown has led to the complete displacement of transport operators and will certainly reach. It starts raining after the month of Jestha, vehicles used in construction services have to be parked for another six months during the rainy season and cargo vehicles cannot be fully operational due to the road in the hilly areas.    The government should announce a concrete relief package to the transport operators as the transport operators or companies are seen to be suffering due to various reasons.    One should not forget that the transport businessmen have been providing continuous support and service to the government beyond their own interests. Even during this lockdown, means of transportation are being used to deliver food and health items across the country. The driver of the vehicle has not been given a mask, sanitizer, or PPE. But he has considered it his duty to deliver food all over the country.

No one seems to have thanked the bus driver for taking the stranded people from Kathmandu to his home district without risking their health. Now, the driver of the vehicle operated by the municipality and the state government to deliver vegetables to the people's houses has been moving vegetables all day long saying that I should serve rather than infect me with corona.     Therefore, if the government belongs to the people and businessmen, then it is very important to protect the transport businessmen this time. If the government wants, it can waive the interest, annual tax, inspection pass, and permit fee for Chaitra and Baishakh. Not only that, the interest on the loan taken by the transport entrepreneur from the bank and financial institution for at least one year should be given concession. In the budget of 2077/78 to be presented now, the government must announce concrete relief for the transport entrepreneurs not only for the transport entrepreneurs but also for the smooth functioning of the country.