Import of black whole gram: Rs 10 million stuck up in subsidy claims

Commercial importers of black whole gram are in a fix as their Rs10 million are stuck up in the backdrop of delay in getting subsidy claims by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), sources told Business Recorder on Thursday.
Sources said that the subsidy claims of some 10-12 commercial importers of black whole gram have not yet been entertained by the central bank due to ambiguity in the official trade documents.
As the SBP was only supposed to give subsidy of Rs8 per kg on the import of whole gram black, while the importers booked the same commodity with different names that were commonly used by different countries in their trade documents.
Citing the example of misunderstanding created between the central bank and the importers, one importer said. "Actually, when we had placed import orders for black whole gram in Ethiopia, the respective party made documents of black whole gram with the name of 'Ethiopian desi chick peas' as the Ethiopians use to call and write it Ethiopian desi chick peas in their country."
"Consequently, when the consignment reached here, an ambiguity was created as to whether the commodity is black whole gram or any other gram," he added. He remarked, "Therefore, the SBP which was supposed to clear our payments or subsidy within three days, has not paid the amount of subsidy despite an elapse of 15 days."
"The same happened with my consignment as well," said another importer, adding that when his consignment from Australia reached Karachi port, the consignment of black whole gram carried the commodity with three different names ie Howzat, Jimbour and Tyson.
He stated that the respective Australian party had bought black whole gram from different cities of their country, therefore, the name of one gram was quoted with three different names, however the whole commodity was in fact black whole gram.
"After the delay in getting subsidy, we discussed the matter with the respective parties, however, they had simply refused to change the name of the gram, saying that change of name would disturb their rules, system and procedures," an importer elaborated.
"The government and the central bank should immediately evolve such a strategy that would help eliminating the current ambiguities in the subsidy claim procedures besides discouraging those who could possibly indulge in mis-declaration," the importers demanded.
Market sources said that the subsidy claims of some 50 containers or 1,250 tonnes of black gram whole are pending, however, the situation would become worst when some 100 containers reach Karachi port next month and around 400-500 containers of new Australian crop in December.