The Department of Trade had issued notifications on March 23 and then on April 6 restricting import of beers from India and other third countries. This interim measure was taken by the Government to control the spending of Indian Rupee. But despite the announcement, truckloads of beers have come to the customs check-post in Phuentsholing for import clearance.
Our reporter, Sonam Wangdi, says that for the past five days, 13 trucks bearing Indian number plates loaded with beers from India have been stranded at the Regional Revenue and Customs Office in Phuentsholing. Nine trucks are loaded with 1,150 cases of Fosters beer each from Haryana, India.
The rest carry 700 cases of Hit beer each from Sikkim. All these consignments belong to different beer agents in Phuentsholing. One more truck with fosters beer is said to be on the way.
According to the agents, they received notification on suspension of import license and surrender of unused import permit only on May 4 from the Customs. But the present consignments were already dispatched on May 3.
The Regional Revenue and Customs office in Phuentsholing said import of beer was allowed for those permit issued before April 6. But on May 4, they received another letter from their department stating to revoke imports of beer immediately including those import permits issued before April 6. An import permit is valid for 90 days after its issuance.
The agents have requested the concerned offices to allow them to unload the consignment after which they will suspend their beer imports. With no clear instructions to handle such case and with some consignment already on the way, the Revenue and Customs office are waiting for the directives from their department.
Meanwhile, the Regional Trade office in Phuentsholing said they will abide by the government’s notification. The temporary restriction on import of beer was imposed as beer does not fall under essential items category.
