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Issuance of import permits (IP) from the office of Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) in Chattogram has been suspended due to alleged corruption of its officials and employees.
The importers of the district will now have to receive import permits from the head office of DAE in Dhaka prior to opening of Letters of Credit (L/Cs) for import of goods.
Importers, businesses and trade body leaders have expressed disappointment over the move and termed it contrary to the government policy to create a business-friendly environment.
They have also demanded immediate withdrawal of the decision and punishment to corrupt officials of the department concerned in the port city.
The importers based in Chattogram import the country's lion's share of consumer goods such as rice, wheat, pulses and spices round the year.
The government in 2002 authorised the local office of DAE to issue import permits.
Deputy Director of DAE in the district Md Zahurul Haque said issuance of IP from the Chattogram office has been suspended. The importers will now take IP from Dhaka, he added.
The government authorised the office of DAE in Chattogram to issue import permits for easing the procedure, businessmen here said.
Import permits were issued from Dhaka earlier.
Two importers based in Khatunganj said they used to get import permits from the Chattogram office a day after submission of applications.
But the Dhaka office took 10 days for issuing the same until 2002.
The importers said the businesses should not suffer for corruption of the people in the local DAE office.
Issuance of import permit from the Chattogram office must be restored, otherwise they would take the issue with the minister concerned or with the Prime Minister, if needed, they warned.
They said the Prime Minister had instructed all departments concerned to take the facilities to the doorsteps of the businesses and create a business-friendly environment for smooth import-export activities.
They alleged that a section of government officials and employees were working against the principles of the government which was not acceptable at all.