CBIC targets to liquidate all pendencies related to Commissioner (Appeals) by 30th June 2018

Vanaja N. Sarna
Chairman

DO. No. 19/CH(EC)/2018

Dated 11^th May, 2018

Dear Colleagues,

After two arduous days of meeting, the DPC for promotion from Group B to Group A concluded yesterday. I am happy to inform that nearly 600 officers from the cadre of Superintendent (CX) Superintendent (Customs Preventive) and Customs Appraisers have been promoted. My heartiest congratulations to all the officers.

The order for the grant of NFSG to the officers in the grade of Joint Commissioners has been issued on T^h May, 2018. My heartiest congratulations to all the officers who have been the beneficiaries of this order.

I am sure by now all of you must have gone through the circular dated 27^th April, 2018 issued by ADG (HRM-II) DGHRD on the AGT 2018 uploaded on the CBIC website. Kindly keep the instructions and the timelines in mind while submitting your representations.

As a part of our continuous efforts to facilitate business and improve compliance levels, exclusive Customs Audit Commissionerates have already started working from 1^st April, 2018. I am happy to inform that a group headed by Sh M. Ajit Kumar, Chief Commissioner Customs Chennai, has submitted a draft of Customs Post Clearance Audit Manual to the Board. The Board will finalize and issue the manual shortly. This comprehensive manual containing detailed guidelines and check lists will assist the officers in conducting customs audit in a more systematic manner.

A number of steps have been taken which has resulted in the reduction of the total pendencies of cases at the level of Commissioner (Appeals) and CESTAT. Firstly action plan was put in place to liquidate pendencies at the level of Commissioner (Appeals). The Board vide notification issued on 17^th October,2017 empowered the Zonal Chief Commissioners to redistribute pending appeals among other Commissioner (Appeals) and equivalent officers. Directions were given to liquidate all pendencies i.e. 51320 as on 30^th June, 2017. I am happy to note that 37568 (73%) appeals have been disposed off as on 31^st March, 2018. I would like to compliment each and every officer involved in this exercise for their efforts in reducing the pendency. Further I would like you all to keep up the pace so that the remaining 13752 appeals are also disposed off by 30^th June, 2018.

During the video conference today various important issues like pending refunds, MIS reports, AEO applications, GST Practitioners, e-way bill, arrears of recovery targets, legacy issues in litigation, TRAN-1 verification, revenue collection, vigilance issues, issues pertaining to regularization of casual workers, processing of cases under 56j, APAR were discussed. As I have mentioned during the course of the video conference, kindly focus and monitor each and every point that was discussed and do the needful wherever required. In case of any doubt on the points discussed do not hesitate to make a reference to the Board.

In my last communication with you in the paragraph congratulating personal achievements of our officers, I see that Worriers in Uniform has been inadvertently mentioned. It may kindly be read as “WARRIORS IN UNIFORM”. Continuing with this trend of personal achievements by our officers I am happy to inform that Shri Jomy Jacob, Dy Director RMCC, Mumbai, of the 2009 batch participated in a mountaineering expedition to Mt Bandarpunch organized by the International School of Adventure Sports, Dehradun. He reached the peak with other climbers after a very thrilling experience. On behalf of all the officers and staff of the department my heartiest congratulations to this young officers who has made all of us very proud indeed.

A one day training session on APAR writing and infrastructure in CBIC is scheduled for 14^th May, 2018. Kindly go through the letter issued on 27^th April, 2018 by ADG, NACIN, available in CBIC website.

With Warm Wishes.

Yours sincerely,

(Vanaja N. Sarna)

To,

All officers and staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs