Ctg port users give 7-day ultimatum to cut tariffs

Chattogram-based business leaders today urged the government to cancel the increased port tariff that became effective on October 15.

They demanded the authorities reduce the rates, giving a 7-day ultimatum.

Otherwise, they would go for a tough movement like paralysing port activities, said Chattogram Port Users Forum President Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury at a protest meeting at a community centre in the port city of Chattogram.

The platform organised the meeting to protest against increased tariffs on various services by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA).

Port officials said the new tariff is 41 percent higher on average. 

At the meeting, business leaders, however, alleged that the rates of several charges were increased by far more.

Chowdhury said that the clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents would observe a four-hour work abstention daily from tomorrow, while two more associations would also observe the same.