Balurghat: Due to the sudden import duty hike on Indian goods in Bangladesh, business in the Hili border area has been badly hit for nearly a month. Official sources informed that the import duty has been hiked from 2 percent to 28 percent since June 7.
Lorries loaded with goods have got stranded at the border since June 6 at Panama parking zone in Bangladesh. This has caused huge losses, said the exporters.
Meanwhile, around 250 truck drivers and cleaners staged a demonstration, demanding immediate release of goods on Wednesday. According to the agitators, they have been facing a tough time due to the sharp fall in trade, following the recent hike.
"The stock of food we have been carrying with us is nearly finished due to the stalemate. There is acute drinking water scarcity. Importers in Bangladesh have refused to unload goods, without imposing the new import duty. We are helpless now as without unloading the goods, we can't return to the Indian side," said lorry driver Pintu Urao.
Sources said around 200 trucks have been stranded in Panama.
President of truck owners' association Kartik Saha said: "We have talked to the exporters and importers in Bangladesh to restore normalcy. The problem has risen due to the sudden hike in import duty. Bangladeshi importers have refused to unload Indian goods without imposing the new import duty. We have also requested them to talk to the Bangladesh government directly, to remove the stalemate. They have assured us that the problem will be resolved within July 12."
Sources said that the importers in Bangladesh had also appealed in court, challenging the decision of the government regarding the issue of increasing import duty.