Due to phytosanitary problems, the export of potatoes from Bhutan to India via Jaigaon, which came to a halt last week, shall not resume anytime soon.
The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Jaigaon seized four truckloads of potatoes on the night of October 14 and handed it to the customs office across the border. The deputy commissioner of customs of Dinhata Customs Division in West Bengal has asked the regional customs office in Phuentsholing, not to process or allow the vegetable consignments until the Plant Quarantine Office has made arrangements for inspection at Jaigaon Land Customs Office.
He also asked the SSB to not allow any consignments to enter India until the Plant Quarantine Office managed arrangements for inspection at Jaigaon, adding that some consignments of potatoes and other vegetables like cabbage, carrot and ginger of Bhutanese origin have been allowed entry to India from Phuentsholing-Jaigaon gate on October 11 after 10pm.
“These consignments have neither been presented to LCS Jaigaon for customs examination nor any Bill of Entry (BOE) has been filed. Had the importer filed BOE, the consignments could not have been given clearance without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Plant Quarantine.”