Import-export through Jogbani grounds to halt

BIRATNAGAR, MAR 24 -

Export-import through India’s Jogbani customs has come to a complete halt for the last two days after employees of the customs office launched protests against the arrest of four of their colleagues by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI arrested deputy commissioner of the customs Shiva Shankar Kumar, superintendent Adish Kumar and inspector duo Rakesh Kumar and Kuleshwor Pashwan on charge taking bribes while clearing goods.

Nepali traders said hundreds of Nepal-bound trucks have been stuck at the customs, which has crippled the country’s export-import activities.

According to Abinas Bohora, president of Morang Merchant Association, about 250 Nepal-bound trucks have stuck at Jogbani, while some 100 trucks headed for India have stuck at Biratnagar customs office. “Traders have been forced to pay detention charge for keeping their goods on the premises of the customs offices,” he said.

Nepali traders, however, expressed happiness with the Indian police move as they were forced to pay bribes despite following all legal procedures. But the same time, they are also wary about how long it would take for normal customs clearance to begin at Jogbani.

According to traders, they were forced to pay bribe from IRs 5000-10,000 per truck for customs clearance. “We could not get the clearance if we did not pay the sought amount,” said Bohora. “On one hand the Indian police have taken a good move, and on the other we have to pay detention charge,” they said.

Trader said a majority of Nepal-bound goods are raw materials for industries based in the Sunsari-Morang Industrial corridor. “If the protest at Jogbani continues, it may lead to a shortage of raw materials here,” said Bohora.

President of Nepal Freight Forwarders’ Association Rajan Sharma said they were concerned about a possible lengthening of the Jogbani protest.

The Jogbani Police said CBI arrested the customs officials red-handed while taking bribe worth IRs 50,000 from an Indian trader who was exporting goods to Nepal by fulfilling all required legal procedures.

Traders have complained that Indian customs officials used to block customs clearance if they were not bribed. Even is the customs clearance procedures start, they would block the process in the last stage until an additional amount is not handed.

Sources said the CBI raided the customs office after dozens of complaints were registered with it. CBI officials found clearance documents that were tampered with.

Source: The Kathmandu Post