The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chittagong Correspondent

Corruption and governance watchdog the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in a report released here Saturday morning said that Chittagong Customs House (CCH) is still reeling under corruption, bribery and manipulations.

Though the political changes on January 11, 2007 and subsequent reforms including close monitoring by the taskforce changed the pattern and rate of corruption and manipulation at the CCH, major hub of the state revenue, return of the mess in old fashion would be inevitable if efforts for freeing it from corruption are not taken immediately.

The report suggested total automation of the CCH operations for taking it out of age-old corruption and manipulation trap.

Commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission AH Manjur Mannan released the report at a colloquium titled "Chittagong Customs House: Need Sustainable Transparency and Accountability" at the auditorium of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCC&I).

Chairman of Trustee Board of the Transparency International Bangladesh Professor Muzaffar Ahmed chaired the colloquium while Executive Director of the TIB Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, former advisor to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan addressed it among others.

Research Officer of the TIB Tanvir Mahmud made a multimedia presentation on the report titled "Chittagong Customs House: Problems and Possible way out".

The report said that the revenue earning at the CCH alone jumped more than Tk. 14000 million well before the expiry of the financial year and it was the outcome of the reforms move undertaken since January 11, 2007.

The revenue earning would even reach a new height if the loopholes are sealed and dishonest workers and officers are relieved apart from addressing the operational problems, the report added.

Pinpointing severe staff shortage, the report said that the CCH could not hire any staff since 1982 as a section of the Mujib Nagar workers filed writ demanding their confirmation and subsequent promotion.

Scarcity of assessment devices, skilled workforce, laboratory and separate shed for physical examination of freights are forcing the import and export documents to under 42 stages in four categories, according to the report.

Referring to the recently held customs officials, the TIB researchers said that bribing in the name of speed money and collaborative tax evasion had been going on even dodging the eyes of the taskforce men and other agencies.