Benapole port fell Tk 450 crore short of its revenue
target in the 2012-13 fiscal year.
Local businessmen blamed it on frequent smuggling, increased revenue on imported goods, extortions by the handling labourers, strike of port users and lack of uninterrupted internet facilities on the Indian side.
The customs house at the port generated revenues worth Tk 2,169.96 crore in the 2012-2013 FY against the target of Tk 2,620 crore set by the National Board of Revenue.
In the 2011-2012 FY, the port had earned Tk 2,281.40 crore against a revenue target of Tk 2,475 crore, recording a deficit of Tk 193.60 crore.
Benapole Customs House joint commissioner Akbar Hossain said the house had failed to achieve the target due to smuggling, frequent strike and internet problem at Petrapole on the Indian side.
However, BGB 26 Battalion commanding officer Lt Col Motiur Rahman said that the allegations of frequent smuggling were not true.
-With New Age input
