|
Coal import from India through 4 land stations of Sylhet suspended
Sylhet, Jul 03, 2009 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) --
Import of coal from India through four land stations of Sylhet division remained suspended for the last two days since Thursday due to government ban on import of coal containing over one percent sulphur.
The ban was imposed on coal import from India through Tamabil, Sheola land stations in Sylhet and Borochara and Charagaon land ports in Sunamganj district, rendering around 25,000 workers jobless and incurring loss to government exchequer.
Sylhet Coal Importers Group Samity sources said coal containing over one percent sulphur was banned as per the import rules of Commerce Ministry in 2003.
But the traders were importing coal having nearly two percent sulphur content following stay on the order for six times. The stay order was also extended for a year in 2008.
As the timeframe of the stay order was over on June 30 coal import from India was stopped on July 1.
Local coal traders said if import of coal is stopped, more firewood will be needed for brick kilns, resulting in increased felling of trees, which is a threat to environment.
They said the brick fields and steel mills depend on imported coal.
Director of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries and former president of Coal Importers Group Kolonder Ali said Barapukuria and other coalmines of the country could not fulfill the whole demand.
He said if the coal import is stopped it would affect the forest resources. Besides, coal import from Indonesia or Australia is expensive.
He opined that this ban should be withdrawn for at least two years until any alternative arrangement is made. Otherwise, an unstable situation would be created in energy sector of the country, he added.
Eighty five percent coal against the total demand is imported through the four land stations. Around six lakh mts coal is imported per year.
Customs sources said the country earns over Tk 150 crore in revenue from coal import through the land ports every year.
An 8-member team of coal traders called on Finance Minister and Commerce Minister on Wednesday for staying the ban on coal import. They said they will also hold meeting with the Environment Minister in this regard.
[ Back To green.tmcnet.com's Homepage ]
|