Chemical laboratories to be set up at 9 land ports

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have agreed to set up a chemical testing unit at nine land port customs stations of the country as part of infrastructural development.

The information has been revealed in an NBR report on implementing the High Court's decision to set up chemical testing units at various ports for testing levels of chemicals in imported fruits.

The land ports are Bhomra, Burimari, Hili, Banglabandha, Sonamasjid, Shaola, Tamabil, Bibirbazar and Teknaf.

Meanwhile, a committee formed to set up a central laboratory in Dhaka is working on formulating a development project proposal. Due to the Covid-19 situation, the ADB technical team could not work for six to seven months, which has hampered the feasibility study.

However, the report states that work has resumed in full swing.

Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmoud Bashar told reporters on Sunday that he received the report.

Advocate Manzil Morshed filed a writ petition in 2010 to stop importing various chemically-treated fruits through different land and seaports of the country. 

In the light of this writ petition, on 29 February 2012, the High Court directed the NBR chairman to set up chemical test units in all land and seaports within six months and ensure that all imported fruits are free from chemicals.

Following the order, the court sought an explanation from the NBR on the implementation of the High Court's verdict, according to which the report was submitted.