Lapses, shortfalls mar Henbung check post
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 15 2013 : Even as the Henbung check-post developed as a temporary arrangement has been accepted as a major revenue earning asset of the Government, it is suspected that there have been lapses and shortfalls since the initial days of developing the check-post.

One official of Taxation Department, on condition of anonymity, told The Sangai Express that Taxation Department is the department which earned maximum revenue for the Government.

The Henbung taxation check-post was developed as a temporary arrangement in view of the shortfalls in the annual revenue collection target of the State Government.

Henbung check-post was developed as a temporary arrangement after the State Government planned to build a composite check-post at Mao but was aborted due to unavailability of suitable plot.

Lack of infrastructure and absence of adequate security personnel are the main reasons for the inability of Henbung check-post to collect revenue to the tune expected by the Government, disclosed the official.

Henbung check-post is an object of envy for many elements.

Many groups under peace treaty with the Government of India or Government of Manipur or both have set their eyes on the taxation check-post but the Government is unable to neutralise these elements thereby diverting taxes to other channels which otherwise should be collected by the Government.

It is not only the armed groups under peace process with the Government, even nondescript armed groups have set eyes on the check-post.

To check the activities of these armed groups, adequate security is essential.

Secondly, political will is a must.

There were lapses/anomalies when the contract work for development of Henbung check-post was issued.

The anomalies became clearer when the check-post started functioning.

Even though Taxation Department is a very important department, it has no land of its own.

The plot where Henbung check-post now stands does not belong to the Department.

The owner of the plot has already submitted an application about his desire to use the plot for other purpose.

At the same time, the Government seems to be doing very little to make the temporary check-post a permanent one.

The check-post has no proper building, no security barrack, nor any computerised facility.

Neither there is banking nor treasury facility.

Even though the check-post is expected to remain operational round the clock, power is not available at the check-post.

Because of these shortfalls, the check-post is handicapped to collect taxes from goods brought with Form 27 Declaration as well as other casual goods, disclosed the official.

On the other hand, big companies are reluctant to send their consignments because of hijacking of trucks and violent activities committed by armed groups on the highway.

Apart from these activities, some people not related to Taxation Department in any manner, have been negotiating for tax.

All these factors combined together are responsible for the fall in tax/revenue collection.

Without rectifying these flaws and lapses, it is not clear whether operating the check-post under public-private partnership would bring any positive change or not, added the official.

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