Despite Anti-India Stance, Yunus Government Begins Importing Onions from India

❐ Staff Reporter

The government has allowed the import of 150 metric tons of onions through the Hili land port in Dinajpur to keep onion prices normal in the domestic market. Five importing companies at the port have received this permission.

Yusuf Ali, Deputy Assistant Officer of Plant Quarantine at Hili Land Port, confirmed the matter on Sunday afternoon, August 17.

He said the government has given permission to five companies to import onions through Hili land port, each with 30 tons, for a total of 150 tons. They can import onions at any time and will be provided with all kinds of support.

Despite its anti-India rhetoric, Dr. Yunus’ interim government is unable to find an easy and affordable alternative to importing essential goods from India.

Meanwhile, the Yunus government has also allowed the import of rice by the government and private sectors to control the price of rice in the country’s market. Rice import from India has started through the Hili land port in Dinajpur since August 12. In the next two days, a total of 1,339 tons of rice arrived through the port in 34 trucks.

The common people are in despair as the price of onion in the country has reached 100 taka. As a result, permission has been given to import onions.

The companies that have received permission are Hili Satta Banijayala, Nashat Traders, Al Makka Impress, Suraiya Traders and Jagadish Chandra Roy. Each importer will be able to import 30 tons of onions.

Noor Islam, an onion importer at Hili Land Port, said, “The government has allowed the import of onions, but it is very small. If IP is given like this, we will be harmed. It is only allowing the import of 30 tons of onions, which will come in an Indian truck. Earlier, IP was given from 2,000 to 5,000 tons. But the government is not doing that this time. We are in trouble because of this.”

He said, “We are doing LC, if everything goes well, onion import can start this (Sunday) afternoon.”

According to the common citizens, the Yunus government and its King’s Party have taken a baseless anti-India stance in the name of new settlement. Also, some political parties and their leaders, especially the King’s Party NCP, have always spoken strongly against India.

Not only that, there are also some advisors to the government who have expressed anti-India sentiments at various times. Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus had also threatened India earlier. Later, he has been trying to improve relations with India but has failed.

Talking to market stakeholders, it is learned that India is Bangladesh’s main source of several products including rice, onion, wheat, etc. to keep the country’s daily commodities market stable. The products reach the country in a short time at a low cost by road. In the current critical moment, it is once again seen that the government has to turn to India. This makes it clear that reality, not emotions, is the controller of the economy.

Although India has historically been recognized as a friendly country of Bangladesh, Sudhijan believes that the current Yunus government and its people are repeatedly opposing India for no reason and are harming Bangladesh in various ways. This is creating complications day by day. The people are being harmed.

The benefits of Indian products entering the country have started to be felt. In the meantime, the price of domestic onions has dropped by Tk 10 per kg in the space of two days due to news of onion imports. Two days ago, onions that were Tk 75 per kg are being sold for Tk 65 today.

According to Hili Customs sources, the last time onions were imported from India through this port was on March 3rd of this year.