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Change Your Life! |
Land-port revenue collection declines |
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News |
June 14, 2000
Benapole, (UNB) – Despite having all prospects, adequate revenue collection from Benapole Land Port remains a far-fetched expectation as the volume of export-import through the port continues to decline.
According to competent sources, export and import between Bangladesh and India through the port reduced by four times in last four years due to introduction of new but complicated rules by the Bangladesh authorities.
Indian exporters, transport agencies and C&F agents were learnt to have decided to boycott the Benapole Port until the authorities scarp their latest rule imposed on June 8.
The new rule, issued by the Benapole Customs Authority that exporters must send their goods of one consignment in one truck, sparked widespread criticism among the Indian exporters.
The Indian exporters argue that they will suffer huge loss if their 27-ton trucks carry only 2-3 tons of goods as per the new directive.
According to the sources, the Indian exporters used to send goods of small consignments in one truck to avert additional transport expenses.
Under the new rule, the exporters will have to use separate “manifests” for separate vehicles instead of one “manifest” for one consignment as they used to do under the previous rule.
Meanwhile, a good number of trucks carrying imported goods remained stranded on the Indian side for over a week due to complications arose out of the new rule.
Talking to the UNB correspondent, president of Benapole C&F Agents Association Ali Kadar said export and import through the land port would decline drastically if the new rule is not scrapped.
“Why should they follow it when there is no such rule in the country’s other ports?” he asked.
When the government is trying to ensure smooth delivery of imported goods, such illusory decision would only hamper export and import through the port, leading the government to a losing streak of revenue, the C&F leader said.
When contacted the Joint Commissioner of the Benapole Port said, “I have nothing to do...the decision was taken by the higher authorities.”
Apart from introducing new rules, there are also allegations of harassment of importers by the customs authorities at the port in the name of inspection.
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