Debt-ridden Kingfisher Airlines’ promoter Vijay Mallya today called on CBEC chairman SK Goel and sought de-freezing of the carrier’s bank accounts, a senior Finance Ministry official said. Last week, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) had frozen 10 accounts of Kingfisher Airlines for allegedly defaulting on service tax it has collected from passengers.

Indirect tax collections rose 16.8% during the first eight months of the current fiscal to Rs 2,52,544 crore, prompting the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) to express “optimism” in achieving the revised Budget estimate target.However, Central Excise collections dropped by 6.5% to Rs 11,761 crore in November, mainly on account of cut in petroleum duties and lesser clearances.

The President has appointed JM Shanti Sundharam as the new Member of CBEC in the vacancy arising on the retirement of Rajesh Dhingra yesterday. Now the CBEC will have four lady Members out of the total of six Members. It is possible that soon we may have an all women Board.

The challenges that lie before indirect tax administration and the work that is required to be done in this department are so enormous that it requires the united efforts of all members of the department of all ranks and at all places. There is no magic wand to achieve this. Each one of us has something unique, distinct in our personality that would add grandeur to the functioning of the department. We need to struggle unitedly and in a harmonious manner each one doing our bit. Let each of us think what I can do for the department rather than always looking at what is there in it for me.

In the context of formulating the proposals for the Union Budget of 2012-13, the Ministry of Finance would like to be benefited by the suggestions and views of your Association. You may like to send your suggestions for changes in the duty structure, rates and broadening of tax base on both direct and indirect taxes giving economic justification for the same.

As a part of the Vigilance Awareness Week being observed from 31st October to 5th November, 2011, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) organized an interaction with officers and staff, at Rajendra Bhawan Auditorium, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi on 4.11.2011. This was presided over by Shri. S.K.Goel, Chairman, CBEC, who addressed the gathering and reiterated the importance of probity in public life.

Shri S. K. Goel joined Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Central Excise) in the year 1975. He has handled various assignments in the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance all over the country. Prior to this appointment as Chairman, he has been working as Member (Customs) in CBEC, responsible for formulation of policy concerning administration of Customs Law, Customs Tariff and procedural matters relating to Customs duties.

The contribution of the CBEC towards nation-building, especially as the revenue collecting arm of the government should be appreciated in the correct perspective. He underlined the virtues of courage and commitment in the due discharge of the duties performed by all members of the organisation. He also underscored that the senior officers should lead by example in their conduct and performance to promote integrity and efficiency. The officers and staff should also take the lead in educating members of the trade and public on the virtues & necessity of fair and transparent dealings with the tax administrators.

The Union Finance Minister , Shri Pranab Mukherjee has emphasized on the need to increase trade facilitation in customs . He was addressing the third meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to the Ministry of Finance during inter-session period of Parliament 2011, here yesterday. The subject matter of the meeting was Trade facilitations in customs.

Shri. S.K.Goel (IRS:1975) today took charge as the Chairman, Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC) on 31st October, 2011. He took charge from Shri S.Majumdar who demitted the office today on his superannuation. Shri Goel joined Indian Revenue Service (IRS) (Customs & Central Excise) in the year 1975. He has handled various assignments in the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance all over the country. Prior to his appointment as the Chairman, he has been working as Member (Customs) in CBEC, responsible for formulation of policy concerning administration of Customs law, Customs tariff and procedural matters relating to Customs duties.