Burimari Land Port
Importers evade huge tax often by using false declaration
Our Correspondent, Nilphamari
The government is being deprived of huge revenue as a large number of importers evade tax while bringing goods from three neighbouring countries through Burimari Land Port.At least 300 trucks carrying imported goods from Burimari port ply through Jaldhaka upazila town of the district everyday. On the way, truck drivers allegedly pay a handsome amount of money as toll to the agents of police and various labour organisations at different points of their destination. This is because of carrying imported goods by evading tax often through false declaration. Although incidents of tax evasion are detected frequently, still the concerned land port officials are seldom punished. In some cases they are simply transferred to different spots, it is alleged. At least 80 importers of Nilphamari use the port. The importers of Rangpur, Dinajpur and Bogra districts also use the port. Different kinds of goods like rice, onion, garlic coal, motor parts, rocks, plywood, fruits and other things are imported through this port from India, Nepal and Bhutan while Bangladeshi goods like jute, garments, Hilsa fish, melamine and some other materials are exported to India. But import of goods by false declaration and tax evasion has become a regular feature. This practice is going on unabated for a long time due to corrupt Customs and police personnel. Rangpur Detective Branch (DB) of police detained a truck containing 10 tons of cumin worth Tk 20 lakh on December 7 last year. The cumin-loaded truck was on the way to Dhaka from Burimari port. Following detection of tax evasion and false declaration, the higher authorities transferred Customs Commissioner Shafiquezzaman and Customs Inspector Kamruzzaman of Burimari port to some other spots recently. Another incident of forgery of a treasury chalan amounting to Tk 78 lakh was detected in 2004. A departmental case was filed against the concerned C&F (clearing and forwarding) agent for the offence. But it was allegedly settled without punishment of the offender. In another incident, the government was deprived of Tk 10 lakh revenue. In this case, two trucks carried 22 tons of grapes, but it was falsely shown that the trucks were carrying seven tons of grapes. In July last year, five corrupt Customs officials were transferred to different spots. They are Abul Kasem, Shahjahen Ali, Nazimuddin, Humayun Kabir and Atul Chandra. Of them offences of first three officials were proved beyond doubt, but no stern action was taken against them.
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