Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 07:
Forced seizure and detention of Supari (Areca nut) consignment transported from Moreh despite being one of the legal items under the ongoing border trade between India and Myanmar by the Customs officials at Malda, West Bengal has reportedly caused a serious set back to the trading activities.
According to an official source, 16 metric tonne of Areca nuts that was transported from Moreh of Manipur in compliance with the border trade agreement has been detained by the Assistant Commissioner of Customs posted at Malda of West Bengal since February 20 this year.
Though the consignment was legally imported through the Land Customs Station of Moreh after paying Rs 32,422 as customs, the Customs officer of Malda detained the same for allegedly not paying a huge amount for the purpose of verification.
However, after the Land Customs Station at Moreh confirmed that the import of Areca nuts is within the ambit of the ongoing border trade, the officer declared it as seized item only, though the same has not yet been released.
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The matter has been brought to the knowledge of the CBEC Chairman of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India and the DG ( Foreign Trade) of Ministry of Commerce and Industries through a letter sent to the Commissioner of Customs (Prevention) at Kolkata, but to no avail.
With the authorities concerned of Myanmar also taking a serious note of the matter, the issue related to the seizure of imported Areca nuts was brought up for discussion by the Border Trade Chamber of Commerce (Tamu-Kalewa) during a workshop cum awareness programme held at Monywa, Myanmar recently.
Organised jointly by NIPCO and Government of Manipur , the workshop cum awareness programme was attended by officials of both the neighbouring countries, traders and representatives of other organisations.
After the workshop, a delegation from Manipur which included officials of Department of Commerce and Industries and representatives of various social organisations later apprised the matter to the Consul General of India posted at Mandalay, YP Singh on April 30 .
The Consul General assured the delegates that necessary instructions would be given to Customs authorities through the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs to resolve the issue at the earliest possible time as it may cause problem in the ongoing border trade, which otherwise has tremendous potential.
On the other hand, during the course of the workshop cum awareness programme held on April 28 at the conference hall of Industrial Zone of Monywa, Myanmar, the representatives of the two neighbouring countries have signed a five-point memorandum of understanding.
Inaugurated by Secretary of Saigang Division of Peace and Development Council, Myanmar U Win Kyi, the workshop agreed that both sides should pursue the matter related to expansion of the numbers of trade items to their respective authorities and organising quarterly Official Ground Level meetings alternatively at Tamu and Moreh starting from coming July.
Just as the NIPCO-sponsored tour of the trade delegation had been allowed to go till Mandalay with the assistance of BTCC, the workshop agreed that NIPCO shall extend all possible assistance/services for pilgrimage of Myanmar citizens upto Bodh Gaya in coming November.
Furthermore, for facilitation and promotion of games and sport, the workshop agreed arrangement of a friendly football match for the boys and girls of both sides within the winter season of this year subject to approval of upper level.
The issue related to NIPCO making necessary arrangement for ensuring availability of Wheat from India to BTCC was also taken up for discussion during the workshop.