M/S Hong Kong Garments Limited of Nanduain in Gazipur imported raw materials worth Tk 5 cr 41 lakh and 99 thousand 370 through 20 bill of entry in order to export. In on the spot inspection officials of Dhaka customs bond commissionerate found no raw materials in the warehouse. Even in the rooms of the factory there is no machineries of making readymade garments, the official came to know from people around that there is no workers in this factory. They have not seen any worker working there ever. In fact, the owner of the factory has illegally sold out in Dhaka market the raw materials imported under duty-free bonded facilities. After the detection of the irregularity customs bond commissionerate has claimed Tk 6 cr 46 lakh 67 thousand 270 crore under the Customs Act 1969. Official said, not only one or two such factories, about half of the 6029 enterprises enjoying facilities are misusing there. But the officials sitting in an office in Dhaka cannot detect the irregularities of so many factories in 17 districts of the division. They are being able to detect only a part of the sale of row materials imported under duty-free facilities on open market instead of exporting goods made of the row materials. Yet such irregularities of 2050 factories have been detected and customs bond commissionerate has imposed ban on the import-export activities cancelling their business identification number BIN. According to the estimate of the Dhaka, the government exempts duty and tax to the time of Tk over 30 thousand at import level annually under bonded warehouse facilities. If the VAT is added to it then amount will be much higher. The lack of checking the sale on open market of the goods giving revenue exemption, to the time of Tk 30 thousand or, rest with 206 people including peon and security. Dr Shahidul Islam, commissioner of Dhaka Customs Bond Commissionerate, said “Staying at Dhaka, it is not possible to monitor 6,029 organisations of 17 districts enjoying bond facilities. As such, abuse of bond facility goes unabated despite the best use of limited manpower and effort. Besides, action cannot be taken in the incidents of abuse of the facility before own eyes due to legal complications.” Officials concerned said the incumbent commissioner is more active than ever to stop abuse of bond facility. The Business Identification Number (BIN) of 2050 organisations have been cancelled for enjoying bond facility in the name of non-existent establishments, selling on the open market the goods imported through such facility and committing to other irregularities. Only three months ago, the number was 150. Out of 6029 organisations under Dhaka Division, a number of 350 organisations are found to be non-existent. The number of claim made to various organisation for their act of dodging tax has become many times higher than the past. In 2012, the revenue claim was estimated at Tk 41.76 crore and in 2013, it was 283.89 crore. As of July 30, 2014 the amount increased to Tk 240.62 crore. Bank accounts of 181 directors or owners of 130 organisations were frozen while certificate case was filed against 650 establishments. Speaking about the measures taken against bond facility abuse, Dr Shahidul Islam said BGMEA was granted the authority to issue Utilisation Declaration (UD) of the garments sector in 1993. After getting order for exporting 1 lakh piece shirts, the businessman concerned managed to import 2.5 lakh yards fabrics as per the facility to import 2.5 yards for each piece. In reality, two yards were used to make a shirt. That means, the shirts made with 2 lakh yards of fabrics was imported while the remaining 50,000 yards were sold in the open market. He said at the time of audit, all the papers and documents are found to be correct. “We have nothing to do when it is shown that the imported 2.5 lakh yards of fabrics were used with 2.5 yards for every shirt,” he added. He further said “We only hold audit. There are loopholes in the procedure. Some vested quarters are evading revenue by selling goods imported through bond facility.” He said the local entrepreneurs are hard hit by the abuse of bond facility. They are manufacturing goods with raw materials imported after paying huge tax. On the other hand, finished products in the name of raw materials are being imported through bond facility and being sold in the local market at cheap price. The abuse of bond facility is not only affecting the local entrepreneurs but also employment and overall economic development. Therefore, the current authorities of the Customs Bond Commissionerate are trying heart and soul to control the marketing and sale of products imported through bond privilege. Sources said the 6029 organisations enjoying bond facility include 4,062 garments, 143 establishments in Dhaka EPZ in Savar, 40 in Adamji EPZ of Narayanganj, supervised bond of 125 and home consumption bond of 51 organisations while 23 organisations are enjoying privileged, diplomatic bond in the name of duty free and prepaid shops. On September 30 last year, Dr Shahidul Islam submitted a report to NBR chairman Ghulam Hossain on the feedback of the steps taken against abuse of bond facility. The report said the abuse is widespread in the EPZ areas. Huge amount of tax evasion was detected holding re-audit in some organisations in eight months prior to submission of the report. According to the report, Achieve Accessories of Gumail of Jirabor in Dhaka evaded Tk 3.55 lakh, Dipa Poly and Accessories of Lalbagh, 34/35 Umesh Dutta Road at Baksibazar Tk 96 lakh, Mishel Company at Katchkura of Uttar Khan Tk 10 crore, MAB Spinning Ltd at Mirza Nagar in Savar Tk 1.14 crore, Reo Fashion Ltd of 190 Arambagh Motijheel Tk 11 crore, Mrinmoy Fashion and Trade Internation of 7 Hatkhola Rd Surapur Tk 1.68 crore, Vintage Garments in Ashulia Tk 1.74 crore, Mrs Paragon Printing and Packaging of Asulia Tk 1.33 crore and Mrs Briliast Hira Ltd of Gazipur Tk 2.66 crore. Cases have been filed against some of these organisations. (Courtesy: Kaler Kantho)
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