Delay in fertiliser release causes financial losses to pvt importers

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FE Report
The unusual delay by the government in releasing 86,000 tonnes of imported fertiliser worth around US$ 32.70 million has caused financial losses to the private importers.
The frustrated importers are now mulling to file cases with the courts against such delay in releasing huge quantity of imported fertiliser.
The private importers imported triple super phosphate (TSP), Muriate of Potash (MoP) and Di-Ammonia Phosphate (DAP) to boost supply.
They used to procure the fertiliser in the light of the decision taken by the Ministry of agriculture each year.
Sources claimed that the government has reportedly been delaying in releasing the privately imported fertiliser so that fertilisers imported by the Bangladesh Agricultural Deve lopment Corporation (BADC) could be sold out.
The government allowed public import of the MoP and the TSP through the BADC to ensure competition in the marketing system of the imported fertilisers in the country.
Chairman of Bangladesh Fertiliser Association Kafil Uddin Ahmed said importers being directed by the ministry of agriculture imported the fertiliser but the government allegedly did not release the imported fertilisers in the past seven months.
"The importers are preparing to file cases against the departments concerned for non release of the fertiliser. The importers are paying additional bank interest rate due to the uncertainty of the release of the fertiliser," BFA chairman added.
Importers said they will file cases to release the fertiliser and to realise compensation incurred due to the bank interest and business losses.
On the other hand, the BFA said the government was yet to take a decision whether the private importers would import fertilisers this year.
"If the government want to continue import of fertiliser by the private importers, it should take a decision on it without delay as the Aman season already begins,"
The private importers said delay in taking decision on the import of fertiliser might create fertiliser crisis across the country as had been witnessed during the previous Boro season.