Collection of revenue at Dhaka ICD declines
Thursday, 20 May 2010
Doulot Akter Mala
Relentless efforts on the part of the National Board of Revenue to expedite containers' arrival in Dhaka inland container depot (ICD) failed to see any fruits over the last one year that has affected customs revenue collection, it has been observed.
Revenue collection at Kamalapur ICD fell short of target by Tk 3.50 billion in the current fiscal, which was in surplus last year, officials said.
Container arrival in the Dhaka ICD has declined significantly in the last one year due to shortage of railway wagons, they said.
A total of 1500 containers are now stuck up in the Chittagong port due to non-availability of railway wagons, a top customs official said.
During the last one year, the revenue board (NBR) has taken different moves and held a series of meetings with the relevant authorities to expedite containers' arrival which have yet to show any positive results, officials said.
It takes one month to reach products to the importers which discourages them from importing through Dhaka ICD, thus causing a significant decline in revenue collection, they added.
The ICD management has been drawing ire of clearing and forwarding agents and workers for the delay in arrival of containers and procrastination of the railway authorities to resolve the problem, officials said.
NBR chairman Dr. Nasiruddin Ahmed said: "we are looking into the matter seriously. Already, the board has sent letters to the communication ministry to provide more wagons to ICD."
The government would strengthen the capacity of ICD and form it as a full-fledged 'commissionerate' to expedite service, he said.
Dhaka Customs Agents Association (DCAA) has been continuing their work abstention, that began on Sunday at the ICD protesting delay in arrival of containers from Chittagong.
"Almost every day C&F agents and workers associations stage demonstration here to resolve the problem. We have communicated with the railway and communications ministry for addressing the issue urgently," said Masud Sadik, commissioner of Dhaka Customs House.
Relentless efforts on the part of the National Board of Revenue to expedite containers' arrival in Dhaka inland container depot (ICD) failed to see any fruits over the last one year that has affected customs revenue collection, it has been observed.
Revenue collection at Kamalapur ICD fell short of target by Tk 3.50 billion in the current fiscal, which was in surplus last year, officials said.
Container arrival in the Dhaka ICD has declined significantly in the last one year due to shortage of railway wagons, they said.
A total of 1500 containers are now stuck up in the Chittagong port due to non-availability of railway wagons, a top customs official said.
During the last one year, the revenue board (NBR) has taken different moves and held a series of meetings with the relevant authorities to expedite containers' arrival which have yet to show any positive results, officials said.
It takes one month to reach products to the importers which discourages them from importing through Dhaka ICD, thus causing a significant decline in revenue collection, they added.
The ICD management has been drawing ire of clearing and forwarding agents and workers for the delay in arrival of containers and procrastination of the railway authorities to resolve the problem, officials said.
NBR chairman Dr. Nasiruddin Ahmed said: "we are looking into the matter seriously. Already, the board has sent letters to the communication ministry to provide more wagons to ICD."
The government would strengthen the capacity of ICD and form it as a full-fledged 'commissionerate' to expedite service, he said.
Dhaka Customs Agents Association (DCAA) has been continuing their work abstention, that began on Sunday at the ICD protesting delay in arrival of containers from Chittagong.
"Almost every day C&F agents and workers associations stage demonstration here to resolve the problem. We have communicated with the railway and communications ministry for addressing the issue urgently," said Masud Sadik, commissioner of Dhaka Customs House.