RAJSHAHI, Jan 13: Revenue earning at Sonamasjid Land Port turned low following stoppage of import of fruits through the port for more than one and a half year. As a results, customs at Sonamasjid Land Port failed achieve its target fixed by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) this year. It is learnt, due to alleged harassment by the authorities of customs and a slow-pace in delivery of perishable commodity like fruits, businessmen have stopped import of fruits through this land port. Instead, 'due to a number of facilities' they were using Hili and Bhomra land ports to import their commodities.
Nurul Islam, owner of the importing farm Messers Sahela Enterprise, Abu Taleb, owner of Taleb Enterprise, Sujar Ali of Sujar Enterprise and Belal Hossain of Messers Nur Enterprise of Chapainawabganj said they were now using Bhomra land port regularly to import fruits from India. They alleged in Sonamasjid Land Port excessive money is realised in the name of quarantine or testing of fruits, the C&F agents and even importers and exporters often harassed the importers and due to ineptness of the non-elected president and general secretary of C&F agents and importers association, most of the businessmen were not using Sonamasjid Land Port for importing and exporting of their goods. They further complained whenever a businessman was in trouble, none of the leaders of the association comes forward to assist them. As a result, the importers were leaving this port.
According to a source of Sonamasjid Customs authority during the first six months of 2017-2018 fiscal year, the target of revenue earning at the port was Tk 2.36 billion but the actual earning was Tk 1.72 billion.
Solaiman Hossain, assistant commissioner of Customs, Sonamasjid Land Port, admitted that due to drop in import of fruit, the revenue earning has been decreased. On the other hand, exporters and importers at the Sonamasjid informed, aiming at increasing the revenue, the customs authority has increased the duties on all imported commodities several times. Moreover, the importers were also facing various troubles and harassment by the concerned port authorities. As a result, the businessmen have left the port and using other ports for importing goods.
Ismael Hossain, General Secretary of Sonamasjid C&F Agents Association informed, in Sonamasjid it takes a long time to test and release the perishable items like fruits. Moreover, the 10 per cent waiver of duty on import of fruit is not offered here which are the causes of making the importers reluctant to use the port.
Harun ur Rashid, president of Sonamasjid C&F Agents Association informed since 1992 the port has been used for importing fruit and pebbles. Even, in recent days 80 to 90 truck load of fruits used to enter the country through the land port but due to various types of harassment and non-cooperation of the customs authorities, there has been a mess in revenue earning. He added, if the customs authorities used to play a responsible role, the target of revenue at the port will be fulfilled.
Assistant Customs Commissioner Solaiman Hossain in this connection informed, he was trying his best to retain discipline at the port and all goods are checked and released from the port by maintaining rules of the customs. There was no irregularity in releasing goods by the customs authorities, he added.
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