The general secretary (GS) of Jaigaon Hardware & Electrical Merchant’s Welfare Association (JHEMWA), Rakesh Pandey said the relationship of Phuentsholing and Jaigaon is that of “blood and flesh.”

“We have grown together. COVID-19 will go but our relationship should stay. There shouldn’t be any problem. If Phuentsholing is in pain, we are also in pain,” he said.

The GS said that it is not right to ask Bhutan to open the gate, as Bhutan and India are two countries with different policies that should be respected. However, Rakesh Pandey said people should see how both Jaigaon and Phuentsholing could benefit from each other.

“Jaigaon is never against Bhutan. We depend on each other. If the two governments maintain the relationship, it is also Jaigaon and Phuentsholing’s duty to maintain it,” he said.

On doing business, Rakesh Pandey said cost has increased in sending hardware materials from Phuentsholing. What cost Nu 3,000 to Nu 4,000 to send 100 to 200 packets of tiles to Thimphu prior to pandemic now costs about Nu 4,000 to Nu 5,000 to just drop the materials at Phuentsholing, he said. There are other costs from transshipment, loading and unloading charges that Bhutanese have to pay.

The GS also said that Jaigaon is a “green zone” and that Bhutanese vehicles should be allowed to directly enter Jaigaon for loading. This will ease transportation and minimise breakages.

He said that processing demand drafts was a problem. Today, it is done only in one or two months’ time and it is not smooth.

“We would be happy if it could be done weekly and smoothly,” he said.

The GS also suggested allowing Bhutanese vehicles to enter Jaigaon for repair works and Bhutanese employers to bear the quarantine costs if they needed Indian workers.

Another businessman in Jaigaon, Anil Prasad said while Jaigaon depended on Bhutan, it is difficult to say anything with the situation worsening. Jalpaiguri district has recorded 88 positive cases as of Wednesday.

On the problems, Anil Prasad said the conversion of Ngultrum to INR was a major problem.

Although demand drafts are made but the frequency is low and it is delayed, he said adding that they cannot replenish their stock even if they have money, in Ngultrums.

Meanwhile, Kuensel found out that the Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) has been facilitating INR remittances through demand drafts and Real Time Gross Settlements (RTGS) since March this year. During this period, RMA regional office in Phuentsholing has facilitated INR remittances six times, comprising close to 700 transactions for Indian traders in Jaigaon. The latest transaction was done on June 28.

The government also had already made it clear that the employers who wish to bring in skilled workers have to bear the quarantine costs. Recently, more than 150 vehicles have entered Phuentsholing after undergoing repairs in Jaigaon.

Meanwhile, near the gate, standing in queue, Parmila Tamang also waits for her turn to collect a document, which is being brought from Jaigaon.

“It is a cheque,” she said, adding that a Jaigaon businessman with a Bhutanese trade license was stuck in Jaigaon after the lockdown.

“Although his shop is still closed, he insists keeping the space and pay rent regularly. The building owner also has given 30 percent waiver on the rent.”

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