Corruption plagues Benapole prompts import-export cost hike
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
Doulot Akter Mala
Corruption is rampant in the country's largest land port Benapole hindering smooth export-import activities, a government intelligence report said.
A section of corrupt customs officials and port operators have long been illegally charging so-called 'speed money' at every step of the import-export activities on both sides of the port resulting in unusual hike in export-import costs, the report said.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) recently sent the report to the Finance Ministry to take departmental action against the corrupt officials at Benapole port.
The report has listed names of 29 officials involved in customs clearance and immigration at the port. It also pointed out that port operators unusually harass the traders and take a long time to unload imported goods.
Of the officials, 18 are listed as being involved in different corruptions while 11 are engaged in extortion under the guise of 'speed money.'
The PMO has asked the finance ministry to take departmental action against the officials ranked superintendent of customs, customs and traffic inspectors, sub-inspectors of Benapole immigration, Thana officer, warehouse superintendent, pest control official, computer operators, master role workers of health and port departments, MLSS of customs and security guards.
Asked about the issue, a senior Revenue Board official said: "The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked the Benapole port authorities to take necessary steps to mitigate corruption at the port."
The port authorities have formed a high-power committee to investigate the problem. The committee will prepare a report on the existing situation within the shortest possible time, he said.
A section of importers and C&F (clearing and forwarding) agents are importing products through false declaration with the help of the corrupt customs officials and port operators, the report said.
Exporters and importers are forced to pay at every stage of product clearance on Bangladesh and Indian sides of the port, it said.
The intelligence report has identified eight major problems at the port including poor and insufficient infrastructure, narrow road, lack of product unloading machinery, power shortage, inadequate security guards and computer facility, harassment by authorities across the border.
"The Indian authorities often certify Bangladeshi products as sub-standard and charge taxes irrationally. They are not well-behaved with Bangladeshis," the report said.
Corruption is rampant in the country's largest land port Benapole hindering smooth export-import activities, a government intelligence report said.
A section of corrupt customs officials and port operators have long been illegally charging so-called 'speed money' at every step of the import-export activities on both sides of the port resulting in unusual hike in export-import costs, the report said.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) recently sent the report to the Finance Ministry to take departmental action against the corrupt officials at Benapole port.
The report has listed names of 29 officials involved in customs clearance and immigration at the port. It also pointed out that port operators unusually harass the traders and take a long time to unload imported goods.
Of the officials, 18 are listed as being involved in different corruptions while 11 are engaged in extortion under the guise of 'speed money.'
The PMO has asked the finance ministry to take departmental action against the officials ranked superintendent of customs, customs and traffic inspectors, sub-inspectors of Benapole immigration, Thana officer, warehouse superintendent, pest control official, computer operators, master role workers of health and port departments, MLSS of customs and security guards.
Asked about the issue, a senior Revenue Board official said: "The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has asked the Benapole port authorities to take necessary steps to mitigate corruption at the port."
The port authorities have formed a high-power committee to investigate the problem. The committee will prepare a report on the existing situation within the shortest possible time, he said.
A section of importers and C&F (clearing and forwarding) agents are importing products through false declaration with the help of the corrupt customs officials and port operators, the report said.
Exporters and importers are forced to pay at every stage of product clearance on Bangladesh and Indian sides of the port, it said.
The intelligence report has identified eight major problems at the port including poor and insufficient infrastructure, narrow road, lack of product unloading machinery, power shortage, inadequate security guards and computer facility, harassment by authorities across the border.
"The Indian authorities often certify Bangladeshi products as sub-standard and charge taxes irrationally. They are not well-behaved with Bangladeshis," the report said.