Kathmandu, July 8 -- A remarkable volte-face on pesticide residue tests for agricultural produce imported from India has not only exposed how the government seems to take arbitrary decisions, but also just how disorganised government agencies are.

Two weeks ago, the Cabinet swiftly gave approval to a proposal by the Ministry of Commerce to make pesticide residue tests mandatory for fresh vegetables and fruits imported from India. Soon, hundreds of trucks laden with agricultural goods started queuing up at the Nepal-India border points as officials scrambled to performs tests. A shortage of technicians, equipment and laboratories at checkpoints meant that samples were to be brought to Kathmandu for tests, which would take time.

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