Corruption rampant in Burimari land port
Our Correspondent | Sunday, 27 February 2011
Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Feb 26: The government is being deprived of a huge revenue at Lalmonirhat's Burimari land port due to corruption and irregularities practiced by a section of the port officials, clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents and other related parties, sources alleged. According to the sources, a number of corrupt officials of customs department have long been allowing entry of loaded trucks into the godowns of the C & F agents without even checking them. About 50 per cent of goods loaded trucks are allegedly allowed to enter into the country without payment of proper taxes. The importers, in collaboration with the C & F agents and other officials make false declaration of the imported goods through fake invoice documents in underhand deals. Sources alleged that a number of custom officials, local influential persons, C & F agents and a group of journalists are getting regular shares of the black money each month. Besides, 'Hundi' business is rampant in Burumai land port. Everyday on an average Tk 5 to 10 million is being smuggled out to India through 'Hundi' business, it is alleged. Requesting anonymity, a local Hundi trader told FE that some people of Lalmonirhat town Burimari landport and adjacent Upazilas allegedly became rich overnight by running 'Hundi' business in connivance with a section of corrupt police officials. People from different districts of the country come to Lalmonirhat to send their money to India with the help of 'Hundi' traders, he added. Blacksmiths for govt loan The blacksmiths in Rangpur district have urged the government to provide them adequate loan facilities for saving their ancestral profession. According to sources price hike of raw materials such as iron, coal and fuel has been affecting their business. They claimed they do not get fair prices for their products due to lack of marketing facilities. They and are often compelled to sell their products at a price lower than the production cost. There were 2,500 blacksmith families in 8 Upazilas of the district but at present the number has come down to 1,200. Many of them left their profession and had joined new jobs. In this situation, the surviving blacksmith families have sought financial support from the government for saving their ancestral profession.
RANGPUR, Feb 26: The government is being deprived of a huge revenue at Lalmonirhat's Burimari land port due to corruption and irregularities practiced by a section of the port officials, clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents and other related parties, sources alleged. According to the sources, a number of corrupt officials of customs department have long been allowing entry of loaded trucks into the godowns of the C & F agents without even checking them. About 50 per cent of goods loaded trucks are allegedly allowed to enter into the country without payment of proper taxes. The importers, in collaboration with the C & F agents and other officials make false declaration of the imported goods through fake invoice documents in underhand deals. Sources alleged that a number of custom officials, local influential persons, C & F agents and a group of journalists are getting regular shares of the black money each month. Besides, 'Hundi' business is rampant in Burumai land port. Everyday on an average Tk 5 to 10 million is being smuggled out to India through 'Hundi' business, it is alleged. Requesting anonymity, a local Hundi trader told FE that some people of Lalmonirhat town Burimari landport and adjacent Upazilas allegedly became rich overnight by running 'Hundi' business in connivance with a section of corrupt police officials. People from different districts of the country come to Lalmonirhat to send their money to India with the help of 'Hundi' traders, he added. Blacksmiths for govt loan The blacksmiths in Rangpur district have urged the government to provide them adequate loan facilities for saving their ancestral profession. According to sources price hike of raw materials such as iron, coal and fuel has been affecting their business. They claimed they do not get fair prices for their products due to lack of marketing facilities. They and are often compelled to sell their products at a price lower than the production cost. There were 2,500 blacksmith families in 8 Upazilas of the district but at present the number has come down to 1,200. Many of them left their profession and had joined new jobs. In this situation, the surviving blacksmith families have sought financial support from the government for saving their ancestral profession.