Siraha, November 17:

Illegal imports of goods from Khairetika border has pulled collection of revenue down. According to an estimate, goods worth over Rs 2,00,000 is being imported illegally from the border daily.

The smuggling has flourished because consumers are allowed to import goods from markets across the border like Jayanagar during Dashain, Tihar and Chhath festival. When the smugglers started importing the goods from the bordering Indian towns without paying the revenue, the business in Siraha, Lahan, Mirchaiya and Asanpur Golbazaar has decreased significantly.

Khairato Border Office said that smuggling increased because of festivals when the consumers were let import goods. “If we charge tax on the goods during festivals also, consumers complain,” an official at the District Border Office said.

According to Ratanlal Agrawal, president of Siraha Business Committee, inactiveness of police administration and the public revenue office’s patrolling team are responsible for increasing smuggling. “Except the real consumers, district-based high ranking government officials also import consumer goods from Jayanagar in government vehicles,” said an armed police official in Madar, adding that the real consumers import the goods worth only Rs 2,000 a day.

Niras Chaudhary, president of Lahan Chamber of Commerce and Industries said, only 10 consumers come to Siraha, Lahan, Mirchaiya and Golbazaar in a day while many of them including the government officials and police go to Jayanagar for shopping.

Aniket Khetan, proprietor of Banebhori Department store of Jayanagar, India, admitted that business in Jayanagar has been flourishing as almost 1,000 Nepali consumers come to Jayanagar for shopping everyday.