Officials asked for prompt customs clearance of chemical fertilizer

Birgunj, Aug 6: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Ramnath Adhikari, has asked the chiefs of Birgunj Customs Office and Dry port Office to prioritize customs clearance of the consignment of chemical fertilizers.    

During his monitoring of the office of dry port and of Birgunj customs office on Tuesday, Minister Adhikari urged the concerned officials for smooth clearance of customs procedures, especially for the import of chemical fertilizers. "Customs check must be hassle-free so that farmers will get the most essential for cultivation on time," he reminded.    

Chief of Birgunj Customs Office, Dilliram Panthi, however, informed the visiting Minister that technical report of chemical fertilizers' test was prepared and clearance made immediately. "The chemical fertilizer brought from abroad needs undergoing technical examination in laboratory," he said, adding that such fertilizer can not be distributed to farmers sans lab test. Once the report is prepared, process is swift.    

The chemical fertilizers are brought from India via the Integrated Checkpoint. Heavy equipment as trailer ferry the fertilizers.    

Similarly, chief of Customs Office, Dhan Bahadur Baruwal, informed that necessary facilitation was put in place for the test at check point.    

On the occasion, Ministry Secretary Dipak Kumar Kharal said the domestic banana farmers were at the receiving end because both the banana and other fruits had same 'HS Code'. This problem needs quick resolution, he urged.

Minister Adhikari also inspected the Office of Authentication of Imported Food Quality, Quarantine Office, and Agricultural Inputs Office in Province.