Traders say customs giving hard time after bonus cut

BIRGUNJ, JAN 28 -

Traders have complained of increased highhandedness by customs employees after the government cut their performance allowance. The incentive for apprehending contraband has been slashed to 100 percent from 200 percent of basic salary as part of an austerity drive.

Traders said the reduction in benefits has prompted officials to demand bribes. They added they were being forced to pay additional customs cha-rges that had been discontinued when the performance-based incentive programme was started in 2008-09.

A customs agent said collection of extra levies which is being done without any legal provision is going on at Birgunj Customs and Birgunj Dry Port. He added the levy is charged on all levels of customs valuation and goods inspection. Importers have also been forced to pay illegitimate levies on other process , he charged.

Importers have complained that a large sum of money is collected under the name of levy on the import of products like readymade garments, steel, electronic goods, chocolates, motor parts and liquors shipped from third countries. Both the customs offices have been charging a levy of Rs 50,000 per container of 40-foot size and Rs 25,000 per container of 20-foot size. Around 30-40 containers enter Nepal daily through Birgunj Customs and Birgunj Dry Port.

Customs agents said that the extra charges were not imposed on the import of goods from India as much as on third country products. However, importers have to pay an extra Rs 300 to Rs 1,500 to obtain a customs clearance form. The customs office issues 500 to 700 forms for imports from India daily. “The officials who used to collect extra levies even when they were being paid incentives are demanding additional charges as if they are entitled to them,” said another importer. However, Tanka Poudel, acting chief at the Birgunj Customs Office, denied any financial wrongdoing though he admitted that the condition had deteriorated after the incentive was slashed for customs officials. “The matter of financial anomalies is just hearsay,” he said. According to him, the bonus is necessary for officials who work round the clock, adding that it had motivated them to work in a proactive manner.

Meanwhile, officials at the Department of Customs denied that customs offices had been collecting unnecessary charges from importers. Director Kul Raj Gyanwali said impo-rters were treated in the same way by officials at all times, and incentives, or lack thereof, make no difference.

Source: The Kathmandu Post