West Bengal polls make life tougher for beneficiaries of Bangladesh-Bhutan trade

SILIGURI: As West Bengal is getting deeper into election process, the priority one activity of nation’s democratic arena, it is making life tougher for thousands of Indian citizens, the indirect beneficiaries of bilateral trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Being landlocked, Bhutan maintains lion’s share of its around USD 30 million worth exim with its one of the largest trade partners Bangladesh mainly through Indian land in Dooars region in northern West Bengal. Four major trade points of Bhutan in Indo-Bhutan border, at northern side of Dooars, are linked with 4 trade gates of Bangladesh at southern side of Dooars in Indo-Bangladesh border.

“Though the issue involves Bhutan and Bangladesh, lion’s share of this bilateral trade is handled by Indian agents, transporters or packers in Dooars region. They are also major victims of the situation,” said K. Pradhan, a transporter of Indian town Jaigaon, adjacent to Bhutan’s largest trade point Phuentsholling. According to him, around 10,000 Indians are indirect beneficiaries of Bhutan Bangladesh trade at different sectors.

“Trouble in the connecting routes between these paired Bhutan-Bangladesh trade-points is a common thing due to political turmoil in the region. But the situation get further complicated during election time in Bengal,” said a leading exporter from Bhutan.

“Already the frequency of security checking of vehicles en-route within West Bengal has gone up increasing shipment time significantly. Naturally, trading perishable items has become tougher,” he added.

In addition “The pace of our trade related paper processing has also gone down at Government offices where election works are now first priority. Next, transporters will start facing shortage of vehicles due to large scale seizure including trucks from road for election duties. That will further increase our trouble,” said D. Mandal, a shipment agent.

However, when asked, a senior administrative official, reluctant to speak on the issue said, “Things may cause some temporary small inconveniences for few people. But we must fulfill our election related duties flawlessly. We are trying to keep things as hassle free as possible for everyone.”