Benapole, (Barta24.com): Despite strong security by the several law enforcing agencies at Benapole, the biggest land port of the country, customs duty evasion on illegally imported goods are on rise making it a heaven for tax evasion.
Due to weaknesses in the existing law, the offenders are not being properly punished.
General traders alleged that in illegal imports, not only the importers and C&F involved but there is clear involvement of a section of customs officials and port officials. So when such illegal scam is unearthed only the importers and C&F people are punished but the customs and port officials remain beyond scanner, so they go scot free.
While customs officials said that though the syndicates try to evade taxes but we have taken various measures to check such illegal imports. If any one is found doing the offence of helping the syndicate he or they are not shown any favor.
On Wednesday afternoon (March 20) a big consignment of Gillette shaving foam was seized by the customs being smuggled in the legal way along with other goods. Though the Indian truck was seized but no one was arrested in this connection.
There is allegations if the illegal importer is identified then some big fishes of the customs will be uncovered so they are trying to give curtain on it.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Customs at Benapole land port told Barta24.com, 'the truck was caught while it was unloading legal goods at go-down no. 9. But there was a tip off about the truck that it had illegal goods. So after searching our people found 7812 cans of Gillette foam contained in 651 cartoons. The value of the foam was Taka 20 lakhs. However the nominated importer informed that they do not own the goods.'
One importer Idris Ali told Barta24.com, 'that the illegal importers in most case are slapped financial punishments and allowed to go scot free. Due to them we the small importers cannot do business. Another important matter is that none can evade tax without the cooperation of customs and port officials. If the offenders could be punished accordingly then the illegal imports will be stopped.'
President of Benapole C&F association Mafizur Rahman Sajan told Barta24.com that, 'the offenders must be brought to book and in this case we will cooperate the authority.'
Customs Commissioner of Benapole said that an organized syndicate is trying to import illegal goods evading taxes but we are very much aware of the fact. Meanwhile during last few months some big consignments were seized. Whoever is found involved he will punished as per law, he said.
It is learnt that among the 23 land ports of the country since 1972, 13 are now functioning of which Benapole is one of them. Every year goods worth Taka 50 thousand crores are imported through this port. The government earns revenue of Taka 5 thousand crores from Benapole.
As the land communication with India is better the business people are interested to import goods in this route. At the port there are security arrangements of three agencies numbering about three hundred.
In 2012-13 National Board of Revenue fixed the revenue income of Taka 2620 crores but that year there was a deficit of Taka 452 crores 89 lakhs at the year end. In 2011-12 the target was Taka 2425 crores while it earned Taka 194 less. In 2017-18 the target was Taka 4195 croes 88 lakhs while it earned Taka 4016 crores 24 lakh. The deficit was Taka 179 crores 64 lakhs.
In current fiscal of 2018-19 the target was fixed at Taka 5483 crores. In the first six month the target was Taka 2649 but income stands at 2044 crores 84 lakhs which is Taka 604 crores 16 lakhs less.
But due to mismanagement of the port and tax evasion by giving false declaration the targeted revenue earnings has become uncertain, it is learnt.