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RANGPUR, Feb 4: The government is being deprived of huge revenue and even facing loss at Lalmonirhat's Burimari land-port due to the corruption and irregularities practiced by a section of the port officials, clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents and other related parties, sources said.
A number of corrupt officials of customs department have long been allowing entry of loaded trucks to the godowns of the C&F agents without even checking them.
About fifty per cent of goods-loaded trucks are allegedly allowed entry 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 by paying bribes.
Sources alleged that a number of custom officials, local influential persons, C&F agents and a group of yellow journalists are getting regular shares of the black money amounting to crores of Takas each month.
Meanwhile, the government has taken a number of steps to increase the port's revenue volume. The concerned officials were ordered to look into the irregularities and submit their reports after investigation.
The officials entrusted with the task detected a good number of irregularities and illegal actions and submitted their reports. But those reports are yet to see the light of the day for reasons unknown.
However, recently, the Rajshahi customs department officials cancelled licenses of 10 agents for non-payment of taxes.
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