Stone import through Tamabil land port of Sylhet has remained suspended for the last seven days as the truckers stopped carrying stones to Bangladesh because of the imposition of a new tax.
Emdad Hossain, convener of the business management committee of Sylhet divisional land port and customs stations, said that traders stopped the import of stone on January 8, protesting the hike in additional duty by the National Board of Revenue. From then, no stone-laden Indian truck or boat has entered Bangladesh.
Tamabil Limestone and Coal Importers Group President Liaqat Ali said that the National Board of Revenue imposed a surcharge of assessment value per metric ton on imports of stone and limestone from India. Traders will face losses if they import goods with this additional duty. So, the import of stone and limestone stone through all ports and customs stations of Sylhet including Tamabil, has been stopped.
Mujibur Rahman Mintu, General Secretary of Bholaganj Limestone Importer Group and Director of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce said the government is losing revenue of 85 lakh taka per day due to the shut. We demand a quick solution to this crisis.