August 17: The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies has initiated the process to release all the edible goods that are currently held at Birgunj Dry Port. Those goods, including peas, pepper, dates and beetle nuts were being  imported without the prior approval from the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC).

The government has finally decided to back off from its stance to hold the food items.

 The Customs Department had sought the opinion of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies regarding the customs clearance of goods stopped at the port.

An official from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies informed New Business Age that the ministry is preparing to allow the import of the goods with the approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

"If the Ministry of Agriculture decides to allow the import, our ministry will take a one off decision to allow the entry of those goods. We have already initiated the homework for this," a senior official at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies informed NBA.

Meanwhile, customs officials are also in favour if allowing the entry of goods that have already arrived.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies is preparing to take the proposal to release the goods to the cabinet if the  agriculture ministry gives approval.