257 tax evading cases handled at Benapole in 2013-14 fiscal

KHULNA, Sept 18: Huge quantity of goods is exported and imported through the largest land port of the country Benapole every year.  Government also earns as revenue over Tk. 20 billion every fiscal year, but a tax evading syndicate has raised its head at this land port.

The tax evading case of Benapole land port is increasing gradually. A syndicate is importing different kinds of goods from India by evading tax from customs.

A total of 257 tax evading cases have been committed through Benapole land port in 2013-2014 fiscal year. The customs authority also realised Tk. 307.1 million as fine from those cases.

Sources said that about one hundred tax evading cases happened in 2012-2013, 294 cases in 2011-2012 and customs authority also realised and in 2010-2011 fiscal year, a total of 218 tax evading cases were happened and Tk. 167.60 million as fine was realised.

Assistant Commissioner of Benapole Customs Shadhon Kundu said that the goods import by false declaration has been increased through this land port with the convenience of some dishonest officials, C&F agents and importers. "But we take special measures against them," he said.