“Revenue collection over the past couple of months has gone down dramatically,” chief of Madar Customs Office told Republica. “Collection was as per the target until mid-January. But it has started to fall at an alarming rate since then.”[break]
Das attributed drop in revenue to growing smuggling of goods from India. “Smuggling was near to nil in November and December last year. But it has started to increase. I don´t know what went wrong,” added Das.
Customs officials said traders are importing goods through illegal routes as security forces deputed in the bordering areas are not performing their responsibility effectively. They even said security forces were supporting smugglers.
Locals of Madar also said traders are openly bringing goods from India without paying any customs duty.
“Officials of Armed Police Force (APF) deployed for border security are supporting smugglers,” Sanjaya Kumar Yadav, a local from Madar, said.
Interestingly, one trader said it would be easier for them if security personnel are taken into confidence. “We don´t have to go through the lengthy customs procedures and bribe customs officials if we take security personnel into confidence,” the trader said requesting anonymity.
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