Due to the ongoing blockade and strike, the revenue collection at Sonamasjid land port in Chapainawabganj has failed to meet its target for February.
Against a target of Tk65.1262 crore, the port generated only Tk11.3453 crore falling short by more than 80%.
Although about 300-400 trucks enter the port on a daily basis, revenue collection has been low as most of the goods are duty-free.
According to the customs office at Sonamasjid land port, usually products like apple, orange, grapes, pomegranate and such fruits are a good source of revenue since they have a handsome import tariff.
However, fruit import through Sonamasjid has declined significantly since the non-stop blockade and intermittent hartals were imposed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance from the beginning of January.
Fruit importers said they were discouraged to use Sonamasjid since they were not given police escort to transport their goods during the political turmoil.
Ruhul Amin, owner of Ms Amin Trade Agency, said he did not get police security despite repeated requests. “Moreover, it takes about 5-6 hours at the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) checkpost which is a hassle,” he added.
Owner of BH Trading, Babul Hasnat Durul, echoed the same sentiment after adding that about 19 goods-laden vehicles were torched between March 1 and 5. “Though the road connectivity from Sonamasjid to other parts of the country is very convenient, we cannot use it because of rampant attacks on the highways. We requested the authorities to arrange police escorts.” Under the circumstances, a meeting of the Rajshahi DIG, sector commander, deputy commissioner of Chapainawabganj, police super, traders and other stakeholders were held on March 4.
The meeting addressed the issues facing the Sonamasjid port and decided to resolve them in two weeks. However, traders allege that no visible measures have been taken since then.
Abdul Awal, leader of C&F Agents Association of Sonamasjid Land Port, said the importers were in favour of using Hili, Bhomra and Burimari because of the lack of facilities at Sonamasjid.
Secretary of the association, Sohel Ahmed Polash said: “We are facing two major hurdles. Lack of security on the highways and the delayed transportation of perishable goods. That’s why we have not been importing fruits through Sonamasjid.”
Assistant Commissioner of Sonamasjid customs Nurul Bashir said imports were hampered due to the current political violence.
“The law enforcers are providing security to trucks carrying essential and commercially important goods such as rice, onion, coal and fly ash etc. But these goods are free from import tariff resulting in a decrease in the revenue collection,” he explained.
Acknowledging the limitation of resources, including police personnel, he further added that if the essential goods were not given police escort on a priority basis, it could have had more of a negative impact on the market.
According to the customs office, the port collected Tk43.5999 crore as revenue against a target of Tk26.9121 crore in November. In December, the revenue of almost Tk 40 crore was about four times the target.
Despite the slump in February, the customs authority set an ambitious target of Tk45.6250 crore for March. Only about Tk7 crore has been earned till March 18.
