Due to the epidemic situation, the revenue deficit at Bhomra land port in Satkhira in the fiscal year 2020-2021 stood at Tk 360.22 crore. However, compared to the 2019-20 financial year,Tk 177 crore more revenue has been earned. The port authorities are blaming the coronavirus epidemic for this huge revenue shortfall.

However, traders believe that many other factors besides Kavid are responsible for the revenue deficit. They said that due to unequal competition in importing various goods at Bonapole port and lack of facilities from Bonapole to Bhomra port, such deficit in revenue collection has been created.

Mostafizur Rahman Nasim, general secretary of the C&F Agent Traders Association at Bhomra Land Port, said the main reason for the shortfall in revenue collection was unequal competition at the port. He said the facilities given to traders for importing goods at the nearby Benapole port are not given here.

Sunbd/NJ