By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Red tapism which is quite prevalent along the border points has compelled the limestone exporters to seek the government’s speedy intervention into the matter to ease import and export between Meghalaya and Bangladesh.
The demand was made following a three-day long meeting between the Chhatak Limestone Importers & Suppliers Group (CLISG) from Bangladesh and the Shella Exporters and Suppliers Union (SESU) which ended here on Saturday.
The limestone exporters have unanimously resolved to demand from the government a speedy solution to the problem of exporting and importing of limestone while asking the government to issue car passes to vehicles carrying limestone into Bangladesh.
“This would ease the problems faced by the exporters and at the same time, the importers in Bangladesh would be free from any hassles of getting the raw material from Meghalaya”, Executive Member of the CLISG Mukul Choudhury told reporters here on Saturday.
“We have high hopes from the Meghalaya government and hope that necessary measures will be taken thereby making the system easier for exporting of limestone”, Choudhury said adding that this will further enhance the relationship between the two countries.
Meanwhile, SESU President Sotish Roy said that the two countries have been doing very well in terms of trades and relations.
“Since before partition (of then East Pakistan) we have been in good ties with them and daily trade was going on but now with this system, it is very difficult.” Roy said.
The delegation from Meghalaya and Bangladesh also met Chairman of the State Planning Board Dr Donkupar Roy to apprise him of the situation.
In his reply, Dr Roy in turn assured the delegation that their demand for issuing car passes carrying the raw material would be studied properly and the matter would be expedited.
“Dr Roy has assured us that our request would be looked upon and that he will do the needful and necessary steps would be taken,” Choudhury said.
The exporters narrated their difficulties in maintaining trade through waterways stating that ferrying limestone on boats is becoming difficult since the water level is low compelling them and exporting could be done only through land.
“In this season, the water level is very low and dams do not help. Besides, our boats can carry only about one metric tonne. We need to export via road and car passes are the only solution.” Sotish Roy added.