Illegal fertilizers abundant in NE

Aizawl, Jul 7 (UNI) Every year an estimated amount of two lakh tones of illegal fertiliser are smuggled to India and Myanmar from Bangladesh.

Both intelligence and customs officials revealed that the smuggling acivities, especially into the NE region, is being carried out mainly through waterways.

According to the inputs given by the officials, fertilisers from Chittagong are comparatively superior and cheaper than the available fertilisers in the region.

Fertiliser rates in Bangladesh is Taka 240 per 50 kg for the dealers-which makes one ton fertiliser cost at Taka 4,800.

Chittagong based smugglers buy fertilisers at the rate of Taka 5,500 to Taka 6,500 from the dealers.

Customs incharge Alagari Swamy posted in Zakhawthar(Indo-Myanmar) border district of the state told UNI that the smuggled fertilisers comes through state and passed to Myanmar along the border areas.

He also added that inadequate custom staff and improper border fencing has lead to such illegal activities.

However, he pointed out the proposed 5 crore land-custom station at Zakhawthar would be able to curb the illegal exports across the border.

Intelligence sources added that the fertiliser companies of Bangladesh are not in a position to meet the domestic demand of 26,50,00 MT in last fiscal, which forced Dhaka to import 650,000 tonnes of fertiliser at the rate of Taka 20,000 per tonne.

UNI SNR PP SS1215