bdnews24.com :
Benapole customs has missed its revenue target by Tk 660 million in the first eight months of the current fiscal beginning on July 1 last year.
According to customs officials, Tk 14.55 billion had been collected at Bangladesh’s largest land port from July to February against a target of Tk 15.21 billion.
Businessmen held corruption, harassment of exporters and importers, and theft of goods responsible for the shortfall.
Customs officials, however, blamed political unrest in the country and problems in India for the missed target.
Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association’s Customs Affairs Secretary Nasir Uddin said the extent of corruption at the land port increased from the beginning of the current FY 2013-14.
He said a syndicate had emerged to evade duty in connivance with customs and port officials, Ansar members and security guards.
Nasir told bdnews24.com the government was being deprived of ‘millions of taka’ every year due to corruption and irregularities at the port.
The Association’s Joint General Secretary Jamal Hossain alleged customs officials harassed businessmen and created impediments.
“Many importers are leaving this port due to regular theft of goods at port warehouses. The port authorities are not taking any effective measures to combat the menace,” he said.
Benapole customs Joint Commissioner Faizur Rahman, however, denied the allegations.
He said revenue collection fell short of target mainly because of the shutdowns and blockades enforced by the opposition political parties to press for holding of national election under a non-party caretaker government.
He said agitations, worker strikes and Internet disruptions in India and an increase in smuggling of importable commodities also contributed to the revenue shortfall.
The official said car imports through the land port went up in July and September enabling the authorities to achieve revenue collection target during the two months.
But targets for other six months could not be achieved, he said.
Port Director (Traffic) Anwar Hossain Mallick told bdnews24.com that a syndicate of thieves developed following the establishment of Bangladesh Land Port Authority.
He, however, said action was being taken against those involved in theft after he took charge.
