Indian Vessels: Govt suspends transit fees

[Stealth_fighter]

BAL=BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAUGE

they made a great mistake erasing the word Muslim from their party name

 

[Stealth_fighter]

BNP and other nationalist parties doing disservice to the people. They are not active enough informing this act of betray to the people. They must inform the people about Awamis Ghaddari with the nation otherwise people will not forgive BNP either.

This Bastards has no more right to run the government anymore. They have no love for Bangladesh. I suspect their demisable in very short time Insh'Allah.

though bnp is very popular but they are very poorly organised ,they dont have strong media support either..thats the main reason of their failure

 

[D3sir3]

See what Im trying to say is Indian government will always try for reduced taxes because it favours us.that is the job of the Indian Government - to get maximum benefits at minimum price.

Now its up to the BD government to respond to that in such a way it doesnt affect BD's national interests.That is the job of the BD Govt.

This is a decision of the BD govt.So my objection is when you guys start Blaming India for it.

Blame AL govt for all you want.Do protests,demostrations,suggest better methods to the Govt.Leaving that all blaming RAW/GoI is laughable to say the least.

Good post. However, you must admit when decisions such as these which seem to go against the national interests of the nation and Indian members start saying 'good for indo-bd' friendship that the bd members might just get a little bit p*ssed off at the hypocrisy of such members. If BD wished to shift cargo through India and didnt not pay adequately dont you think these indian members would be singing a very different tune...


@Topic:

WTH. You come through BD, you pay for it. Simple as that. This isnt India's playground where they can do as they please, govt. screwed up big.

 

[TopCat]

BNP against duty free transit for India

The main opposition BNP on Thursday said it will accept transit facilities for neighbouring India if it is proved profitable for the country through proper studies.


The party leaders said people will not accept any decision without political consensus and consultation with all regarding transit and corridor facilities for India.


“Bangladesh deserves the money which India will save using the land of Bangladesh as it will save at least seven days to go to its eastern countries,” MK Anwar, member of the party standing committee, said at a press conference at its chairperson’s Gulshan office.


“The Awami League government is providing transit and corridor facilities without any assessment on whether it will be profitable for the country,” he said, adding that it seems they want to make Bangladesh Haiti though earlier they said that the country will make Singapore through earning money from transit.


Replying to a query, he said, “Of course we will agree if transit and its conditions are proved profitable for Bangladesh through proper studies.”

Standing committee member Abdul Moyeen Khan, chairperson’s adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Senior Joint Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were present.


Asked whether BNP will cancel the deals of transit if voted to power, Anwar, also a former minister, however, said, “It’s not easy to scrap an international deal but in the past we did not implement the anti-country clause of Chittagong hill tracts treaty.”

BNP against duty free transit for India

 

[LaBong]

“Bangladesh deserves the money which India will save using the land of Bangladesh as it will save at least seven days to go to its eastern countries,”

Well if Bangladesh gets the money India will save using the transit, then what's India's benefit to all of this? The whole point of using transit is to reduce the cost of transportation of goods. Yes Bangladesh can and should get a share of money India will save using Bangladesh land.

 

[Al-zakir]

Khaleda vows to block transit to India

Sun, Nov 7th, 2010 7:00 pm

Dhaka, Nov 7 (bdnews24.com) — Main opposition BNP chief Khaleda Zia has alleged that the government has taken an anti-state stance on various issues including transit.

She also threatened vigorous movement against the government following Eid-ul-Azha vacations.


"No foreign vehicles, without paying taxes or fees, will be allowed to ply through the country," she said on Sunday at a rally at Naya Paltan, marking Nov 7 as the national revolution and solidarity day.

On Nov 2, finance minister A M A Muhith said Bangladesh is geographically a transit country and that the government has taken an initiative to realize fees for transit and transshipment facilities through Bangladesh.

"While no Value Added Tax (VAT) can be imposed on transit, however, it can be applied in case of transshipment," said Muhith.

India is currently using Bangladesh waterways for transit and the cpountry receives about Tk 5.5 billion for this from India, said the minister.

On Nov 4, senior BNP leader M K Anwar called upon the government to hold its decision on transit for India not before assessing its economic benefits. He also said the opposition party has no objection if it is beneficial to the country.

Khaleda, however, claimed the government has taken a stance against country's interests and demanded cancellation of the transit agreement with India.

"They kept saying transit will bring us billions. Bangladesh would become a Singapore. Now they are saying there will be no duties on transit. This is how they plan to sacrifice the country's interests and become a useless and servile nation."

The opposition leader criticised the government's activities, saying, "They have done nothing in the last two years. Price hikes are suffocating people. We cannot give them anymore time."

She urged the people to unite to remove the government.

"Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has brought nothing home from her India visit, rather she mortgaged the country to India," Khaleda alleged.

She warned the government for imposing Section 144 on the opposition's rallies, saying, "We are being patient and tolerant and conducting peaceful demonstrations. In future, the Section 144s will be breached."

Her deputy, secretary general Khandker Delwar Hossain, claimed the government was assisted to come to power by an imperialist state and "they are working to protect its interests."

Islami Oikyo Jote chief Mufti Fazlul Haque Amini said, "The prime minister will have to leave Ganabhaban before Khaleda Zia leaves her cantonment residence.

"I would even go to the gallows to prevent the Awami League from harming Islam," he threatened.

BNP standing committee members Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, A S M Hannan Shah, senior joint secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir among others spoke at the rally.

TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK

The whole Naya Paltan area was entirely blocked for the rally, causing a complete traffic gridlock in the surrounding Motijheel, Kakrail, Bijaynagar, Topkhana Road, and Dainik Bangla Intersection. People returning from work suffered a prolonged traffic jam due to the rally.

Traffic on the road from Kakrail intersection to Fakirapul came to a total halt before 4 pm with the BNP supporters coming in processions from different parts of the city. Some of them were carrying large posters of late president Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.

Stage for the event was erected in front of the BNP office. Volunteers were on duty to ensure security and discipline.

The last BNP rally on the occasion of Nov 7 was held in 1998, which was marred by bomb blasts.

Earlier in the day, Khaleda and senior leaders laid wreaths at the grave of late president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Khaleda vows to block transit to India | Politics | bdnews24.com

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

Well if Bangladesh gets the money India will save using the transit, then what's India's benefit to all of this? The whole point of using transit is to reduce the cost of transportation of goods. Yes Bangladesh can and should get a share of money India will save using Bangladesh land.

If you read the article it also clearly states that India will save up to seven days due to transit... do not you think that it is a big advantage... evn in some instance from chittagong port they will be able to transport goods in NE part of india within 2 hour.... do not you think it is a saving for india....as we all consider time is money... on the other hand even if we take your argument... that india will not save anything by giving 100% saving... then whats about 70%, 75% or 80%.... or you just want a free transit like this ... only by giving a fixed yearly fee for maintenance other than paying any duty???

 

[eastwatch]

BNP and other nationalist parties doing disservice to the people. They are not active enough informing this act of betray to the people. They must inform the people about Awamis Ghaddari with the nation otherwise people will not forgive BNP either.

This Bastards has no more right to run the government anymore. They have no love for Bangladesh. I suspect their demisable in very short time Insh'Allah.

BNP leaders seem to be busy with how to stop the govt from taking over the 9-acre Khaleda Palace in the Cantonement. Country's interest has become a less preference to them now-a-days. However, another post says about a threat by Begum Zia that BNP would stop transit if fees are not paid by big DADA.

 

[eastwatch]

Well if Bangladesh gets the money India will save using the transit, then what's India's benefit to all of this? The whole point of using transit is to reduce the cost of transportation of goods. Yes Bangladesh can and should get a share of money India will save using Bangladesh land.

So, if the BENIYAS do not want to pay us fees for east-west transportation of their goods, they will be stopped at the border. If the weak Dalal AL cannot do it, then people will oust India's aunti Hasina from power and replace it with another govt. People basically dislike India's Beniya mentality very much.

But, they voted for AL because of heavy corruption by the previous govt of BNP. Now, people know better. And BNP also knows better how not to indulge again in corruption.

 

[jha]

If you read the article it also clearly states that India will save up to seven days due to transit... do not you think that it is a big advantage... evn in some instance from chittagong port they will be able to transport goods in NE part of india within 2 hour.... do not you think it is a saving for india....as we all consider time is money... on the other hand even if we take your argument... that india will not save anything by giving 100% saving... then whats about 70%, 75% or 80%.... or you just want a free transit like this ... only by giving a fixed yearly fee for maintenance other than paying any duty???

Yes..I completely agree..The biggest advantage we will get is the less time taken to transport goods. I dont want transit fee to be zero.
Look the thing is that we will push for the maximum benefit for us and your side will push for yours. Finally a compromise will be reached which will be beneficial for both of us. Thats gow the international diplomacy works..

 

[Bhairava]

Khaleda vows to block transit to India


Khaleda vows to block transit to India | Politics | bdnews24.com

This is the problem when individuals who have no idea of International Transit Laws whatsoever, indulge in rhetoric for political gains by fooling the masses.

"The International Laws prohibit the country that is allowing the transit to charge duty on the value of the goods being sent through its territory - rather it allows only the charge of a fee for transit that is primarily based on the quantity of the item being transported"

It has been made amply clear by the Awami Govt that Transit fees will be charged for Indian goods passing through BD and only the Duty (which is in violation of Internationally agreed laws) will be exempted.

So there is nothing that 'dada' India is gaining or 'chota' BD is losing.Everything is as per International laws.

 

[eastwatch]

'BNP got it wrong' | Politics | bdnews24.com

'BNP got it wrong'
Mon, Nov 8th, 2010 9:13 pm

Dhaka, Nov 8 (bdnews24.com) — The opposition party has failed to understand the finance minister's comments regarding transit fees from India.

Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said India would most certainly pay fees to be allowed transit through Bangladesh.

Opposition chief Khaleda Zia on Sunday said that free transit to India would 'completely ignore the country's interests' and warned that in that case BNP would not allow foreign vehicles pass through the country.

The finance minister on Monday clarified that international stipulation prohibited value added tax for transit. "We cannot impose taxes either."

"However, transit fees would be mandatory."

Muhith said the guidelines to determine fees would be finalised within two months.

Following a meeting with Indian high commissioner Rajeet Mitter at the Secretariat, Muhith said, "BNP's statement has a terminological error. It was a political statement."

On Nov 4, BNP leader M K Anwar called upon the government to decide on transit for India after assessing its economic benefits.

Muhith said Anwar's demands were perfectly acceptable.

The finance minister said discussions were held with the Indian high commissioner over two Indian ships stopped by the tax authorities.

"I was not aware that the two ships were still on hold over tax issues. The issue will be decided tomorrow," Muhith added.

 

[Kinetic]

Khaleda vows to block transit to India

She will just vow but can't do anything!!! I think BD govt is currently busy to through her out of the govt house that her military ruler husband had taken oven. lol

“Bangladesh deserves the money which India will save using the land of Bangladesh as it will save at least seven days to go to its eastern countries,”

BD has given more than that it deserves. Apart from transit fee they are getting other things as well. Its good for BD that they are getting extra money.

 

[Kinetic]

This is the problem when individuals who have no idea of International Transit Laws whatsoever, indulge in rhetoric for political gains by fooling the masses.

"The International Laws prohibit the country that is allowing the transit to charge duty on the value of the goods being sent through its territory - rather it allows only the charge of a fee for transit that is primarily based on the quantity of the item being transported"

It has been made amply clear by the Awami Govt that Transit fees will be charged for Indian goods passing through BD and only the Duty (which is in violation of Internationally agreed laws) will be exempted.

So there is nothing that 'dada' India is gaining or 'chota' BD is losing.Everything is as per International laws.

Dude did you expect that from BNP?? lol They brainwash the countrymen in such way. Khaleda frequently tells in her speeches that AL selling the country to India, so someone wanted to know how much per acre!!! lol

 

[eastwatch]

Govt to form body to determine transit fees

The government has decided to form a committee to determine transit fees or service charge after evaluating the policies and papers on transit and transshipment of different countries, reports UNB.

The committee will comprise representatives from the ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Communication, Shipping and National Board of Revenue (NBR).

The decision to form a committee came from a meeting on Tuesday with Finance Minister AMA Muhith in the chair. Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Mashiur Rahman was present, a senior official told the news agency Wednesday.

He said the proposed committee will submit its report to the government. Fees or service charge will be fixed on recommendations of the committee.

Earlier, Finance Minister said that a certain amount of fee rather duty will be taken from India and other neighboring countries for transporting their goods through Bangladesh under the transit facility. He opposed imposition of duty on transit.

Muhith had said that the government is going to formulate a guideline to determine the amount of fee within next two to three months.

Hitting at apparent soft attitude of the government in realizing transit duty or fees from India, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia declared from a rally on June 7 that no foreign vehicles would be allowed to pass through the Bangladesh territory. She also asked the government to scrap the "transit deal" with India.

Muhith had termed 'political' the anti-transit stance of BNP.