To deter people from crossing the borders illegally for tobacco products, the Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag is allowing import of tobacco products in accordance with the tobacco act and COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) for imports.
According to the COVID-19 task force of Samdrup Jongkhar, the tobacco products and bills are quarantined for 24 hours at the border checkpoint to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 as per the SOPs for imports.
Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongdag Tharchin Lhendup says the Dzongkhag COVID-19 task force is following the tobacco act, which allows people to import tobacco products for own consumption subject to duties and taxes. People wanting to buy tobacco products have to ask people across the border to send tobacco products in Indian trucks that bring vegetables and other essentials items to Samdrup Jongkhar town. At the checkpoint, customs verify the bill digitally and levy the tax. Individuals can then collect the products after 24 hours.
Revenue and Customs officials in Samdrup Jongkhar has collected tax amount of more than Nu 550,000 from 294 people in three months after the closure of border gate from tobacco products.
Though it is allowed for self-consumption only, sources say some individuals in the Samdrup Jongkhar town and in Dewathang area are selling the tobacco products illegally at exorbitant prices and even supplying to other Dzongkhags.
In a month only 800 sticks of cigarettes and 750 grams of chewing tobacco is allowed for one person to bring by declaring but people who are doing illegal tobacco business use citizenship identity card of their families and friends to import more products.
According to the Dzongdag, police and other relevant agencies are strictly monitoring the illegal sale of tobacco products in the town and last month police arrested three individuals in connection with selling and buying of 60 packets of chewing tobacco.
Today in Samdrup Jongkhar town one packet of cigarette cost Nu 500 and Nu 100 to 200 for one packet of chewing tobacco.
According to some smokers, they have to buy tobacco products at much higher prices since they do not have any contact with people across the border to send tobacco products for them.
Kinley Wangchuk
