The largest land port in the country Benapole saw a revenue deficit of Tk 13.46 million in 11 months of the 2018-19 fiscal year.
Customs authorities have attributed the fall in revenue to the decreased trade in the route due to the strict measured undertaken to prevent tax evasion.
The traders on the other hand claim that irregularities, mismanagement, tax evasion and bribe at the customs have led to the fiasco.
Out of the 23 land ports in the country, 13 are operating and the Benapole port usually leads the revenue turnover chart given that it has been the preferred route for traders since after 1971.
The government earns an average of Tk 50 billion in revenue from this port from imports worth Tk 600 billion.
Sources at the port said that in the last 2017-18 fiscal year the targeted revenue was nearly Tk 42 billion among which over Tk 40 billion was collected.
The target for the 2018-19 fiscal year was set at nearly Tk 55 billion but with just a month to go for the year to end, the deficit is still Tk 13.46 million.
Shahjahan Kabir, a businessman said that one of the reason for such a large deficit is because there is a group of businessmen who join hands with customs officials to evade taxes.
“Moreover, BGB [Border Guard Bangladesh] members hold us without specific complaints although the customs authorities have cleared legal consignments,” he said.
He added that since the products are held up for more than a couple of days and BGB and customs authorities need to coordinate for trade to be smooth at the port.
Clearing & Forwarding (C&F) Association Joint General Secretary Mohsin Milon said that trade was being hampered due to the infrastructural problems at the port.
“The traders aren’t able to enjoy the 24 hour trade facilities. There is no alternative to infrastructural development and legal facilities to encourage trade,” he said.
On the infrastructural issues Importers-Exporters Association Vice President Aminul Hoque said that there have been incidents of fire causing loss to traders.
“Chemical consignments are cleared along with the regular ones. Outsiders are able to enter the port with ease,” he complained.
He said that businessmen are apprehensive about trade in this route as they had demanded CCTV cameras to be installed on the port premises but it hasn’t been implemented.
Benapole Customs House Joint Commissioner Shahidul Islam claims that there is now more transparency and accountability while clearing consignments.
“Some traders have reduced imports due to the restrictions imposed to stop tax evasion,” he said.
He added that taxable items are being imported less which has led to the revenue deficit.
Saying that legal action is being taken against those involved with tax evasion, he added that customs authorities were working to improve facilities for traders.
Benapole Port Director Pradosh Kanti Das said he has been working to restore order but they were facing some problems due to the space constraints and that work was underway to resolve that.