The Chittagong Customs House illegally realizes at least Tk 47.5 lakh from businessmen against export and import every day, the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said in a report Monday. The report states that the businessmen have to pay additional Tk 3,000 in various segments of custom duties per import consignment while Tk 1,300 for non-commercial (bond) process and Tk 4,000 per cont
ainer for manual inspection at the Customs House. TIB said the report has been prepared on the basis of studies conducted on the Chittagong port and Custom House from January to May of 2014. TIB Programme Manager Manzur-e-Khuda and TIB researcher Juliette Rosetti presented the research report on ‘Automation in Chittagong port and customs house dealing import and export: Challenge of good governance and its remedies’ during a press conference at BRAC Inn Centre in the capital. Regarding the corruption of customs officials, the report stated that that a section of custom officials illegally hired about 60-70 people as their assistants (They are called ‘Badi Alam’ or ‘Falto’). The associates of custom officials are involved in negotiation with clients in regards to corruption and irregularities. The anti-graft watchdog also presented a 9-point suggestion, including full automation of the Chittagong Customs House to reduce corruption and irregularities. “Although automation was introduced at Chittagong Sea Port and Custom House to establish paper-less offices, manual system is still exercised, which promote illegal transaction there,” according to the TIB report. The manual system paves the way for illegal transactions. Corruption and irregularities will come down significantly if both the agencies adopt an online system, says the report. TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Trustee Board Member M Hafizuddin Khan, Deputy Executive Sumaiya Khair were also present during the press briefing. The report mentioned that the officials are heavily dependent on these ‘faltus’ who even know the computer password of the concerned officials. While addressing the press conference, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said the Chittagong port authority (CPA) is held hostage to these vicious circles, adding that “These people belong to a vested quarter.” He also said although automation was introduced at Chittagong Customs House in 1995 and Chittagong Port in 2009, it could not be made fully operational as some vested quarters created obstacles to the move for their personal interest. “There is lack of transparency and good governance at the Chittagong port and Customs House” he added. He also called upon the authorities concerned to make the duty collection process fully automated to reduce irregularities and corruption. The TIB recommendations also include taking stern action against the officials involved in corruption, forming of a code of conduct for custom and port officials and ensure proper implementation of the rules, evaluating performance of the automation system and collect wealth statements from the customs and port officials every year.
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