COX'S BAZAR, July 20: The production deficit of salt in the country is two lakh 12 thousand metric tons (MT). To fill the gap, the Industries Ministry suggested the Commerce Ministry to import three lakh MT salt while the Commerce Ministry gave permission to import total five lakh MT salt.
As a result, around 41,000 field level salt farmers of the district may be deprived of the fair price. Besides, 500 more traders engaged in salt trade are also likely to suffer loss.
After the news of salt import was spread, the price of salt per maund was reduced to Tk 50 in 10 days. In this connection, while the farmers including local public representatives are opposing salt import, a vested corner in Dhaka is trying to ensure salt import and reap the benefit from the business.
According to field sources, due to strong stance of the local salt farmers, the evil attempt of the vested corner seems to get destabilised, the sources thought.
Owner of M/s Salma Salt Crushing Industries at Islampur industrial area in the town Jahangir Alam said, "Some days ago, I bought 30,000 maunds of salt at Tk 575 per maund. But, after the news of salt import spread, the price of salt per maund was reduced to Tk 50. When the price of salt has already decreased, the fresh import of salt is likely to turn the situation violent."
Mohammad Faisal of Mognama area in Pekua upazila also expressed the same. He said, "If salt is imported, we'll not be able to stand up with our business."
Concerned sources said, at a meeting of Industries Ministry on June 15 last, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) said, due to different natural calamities, the production of salt was less this time. At the meeting, farmer and trader representatives and the officials of the two ministries were present. At the meeting, the decision to import three lakh MT salt was taken. But, the Commerce Ministry gave permission to import five lakh MT of salt on
July 5 last.
In a press note, the Commerce Ministry said, to meet the country's demand and to keep the price of salt stable, the government decided to import five lakh MT of crude salt.
But, the concerned sources said, if that amount of salt is imported, it would destabilise the local salt
industry.
President of Bangladesh Salt Farmers' Welfare Association Mostafa Kamal Chowdhury said, "With the concern that there might be some problem during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the Industries Ministry gave permission to import three lakh MT salt. But, we cannot understand how it has reached five lakh MT. If extra salt is imported, the local salt trade will suffer huge loss. From next season, nobody will be interested in producing salt."
President of Cox's Bazar Salt Mill Owner Group Rois Uddin said, "We are against salt import. In this connection, we have submitted memorandum to the industries and commerce ministers but they are not paying heed to the matter. If permission is given to import salt in such way, the local farmers and traders will face huge loss."
While asked that whether a local group is trying to import salt, he said, "As the government has decided to import salt, we are now asking them to give us too the chance to import salt. As a result, we will manage to recoup our losses to some extent."
Deputy Director General of BSCIC Salt Industry Development Project Md Absar Uddin said, "In the recently-concluded salt season, the production target of salt was 15.76 lakh MT but 1.64 lakh MT was produced. Now, the deficit in the production is 2.12 lakh MT. Around 41,000 people are engaged in salt industry in the region. The price of salt fluctuates every year."
