Introduction: In the dawn of 2024, the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, pens a heartfelt letter to colleagues, reflecting on the past year’s accomplishments and sharing optimism for the New Year.
Detailed Analysis:
1. Fiscal Achievements:
The year 2023 marked unprecedented growth in tax collections, especially in GST. Monthly gross tax collections reached a remarkable Rs. 1.6 lakh Crore, setting a new norm. Efforts toward simplification of tax procedures and transitioning to a Model 2 back office system indicate a focus on efficiency.
2. Customs Triumphs:
Indian Customs’ dedication to trade facilitation resulted in being rated as the best-performing country in the UNESCAP Global Survey. Notably, the Average Release Time for imports and exports decreased significantly, showcasing commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
3. Officer Welfare and Infrastructure:
The CBIC prioritized officer welfare in 2023, with promotions and infrastructure projects ensuring a conducive work environment. The pledge to regularize ad-hoc promotions in the coming year emphasizes a commitment to the cadre’s development.
4. Enforcement Success:
International cooperation in customs matters led to a breakthrough case of trade-based money laundering. The collaborative efforts between India and Hong Kong Customs resulted in arrests and asset seizures, exemplifying the global impact of such cooperation.
5. Farewells and Achievements:
The CBIC bid farewell to esteemed members, Smt. Rama V. Mathew and Shri Javed Akhtar Khan, acknowledging their dedicated service. Congratulations were extended to Shri Yogeshwar Prasad for his achievements in the All India Civil Services Swimming Tournament.
Conclusion: As the CBIC Chairman looks forward to the passing out parade of the 73rd Batch of the Indian Revenue Service, he extends New Year wishes to all officers and staff. The newsletter concludes with a metaphorical wish for seasoned sailors to navigate uncharted seas of professional excellence and find joy in personal lives.
This detailed article provides a comprehensive overview of the CBIC Chairman’s weekly newsletter, touching upon fiscal achievements, customs triumphs, officer welfare, enforcement successes, farewells, and notable achievements, concluding with a hopeful message for the New Year.
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Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
01st January, 2024
DO No. 01/News Letter/CH(IC)/2024
Dear Colleague,
Let resolutions bloom, like flowers in spring,
In the symphony of time, let notes of hope sing.
Welcome, 2024, with open arms and a smile,
My dear colleagues, let’s walk the extra mile.
Another year goes by, and we stand to embrace the New Year with happiness and hope. This day is all the more special as the Board completes 60 years today!
For the Department, the year 2023 was like no other. The tax collections have been buoyant with robust GST collections. The revenues for the month of November 2023 witnessed the highest growth for any month year-on-year during 2023-24. Even the figures of December Resonating the view of the Hon’ble Finance Minister, Rs. 1.6 lakh Crore is the new norm of monthly gross tax collections, almost double the average monthly collections since 2017-18.
On the GST front, this year saw record numbers of daily transactions on certain dates in key parameters such as tax collections, return filings, payment transactions and e-way bill generation count. Generally, the taxpayer base, as well as the tax filing percentages, have steadily increased since the introduction of GST, in part due to the simplification of Rules and Procedures in GST. Going forward, efforts are being made towards further simplification of the tax regime in certain areas. Further, the CBIC has consciously decided to transition from a Model 1 to a Model 2 back office system, anticipating greater efficiency and optimization of the workforce.
On the Customs side, the focus on trade facilitation has led to India being rated as the best-performing country amongst the South Asian Countries in the 2023 edition of the UNESCAP Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation. India’s score on cross-border paperless trade in this survey is the show-stopper, with numbers improving substantially from about 28% in 2015 to 67% in 2023, indicating that Indian Customs is committed to trade facilitation and ease of doing business to complement the Government’s vision of Viksit Bharat. To put things in perspective, the Average Release Time has decreased by 21% for imports and 47% for exports in the last three years. During the year 2024, it shall be the Board’s endeavour to harness full potential of the initiatives undertaken by Indian Customs by bringing about standardization in their implementation.
Working towards the welfare of officers, in 2023, promotions in various grades were monitored and taken to their logical end by the Board. To highlight the good work done, promotions from Group B’ to Group ‘A’ have been done in unprecedented numbers (2398). In the new year, it will be the endeavour of the Board to regularize the ad-hoc promotions of officers for the benefit of the cadre. Four infrastructure projects were inaugurated last year, dedicating better office premises and residential quarters at various locations in the service of the nation.
Last week, the 73rd Batch of the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes) had the honour and privilege of interacting and meeting with the Hon’ble President of India. With guidance from the Head of State, the officers are ready to serve the country with honour, integrity and dignity and to be the drivers of change in times to come. I look forward to their passing out parade this week, which I intend to participate in person.
On the enforcement side, last week saw an exemplary case of international cooperation in customs matters, wherein on DRI investigations and inputs in respect of a case of misdeclaration in imports of diamonds by an SEZ unit in India, Hong Kong Customs unearthed a major case of trade-based money laundering being carried out through Hong Kong-based exporters. The investigation by both administrations led to arrests of eight suspects, four each in India and Hong Kong, under respective customs legislation and seizure of assets worth HKD 8.2 million in Hong Kong. This case highlights how criminal networks use trade to launder money and how global cooperation can unearth such syndicates.
In December, we bid farewell to Smt. Rama V. Mathew, Special Secretary and Member. Throughout her accomplished career, she exemplified the utmost dedication and unparalleled commitment to the betterment of our Department. Last month, Shri Javed Akhtar Khan, Director General also superannuated. Dear colleagues, as you step into a well-deserved retirement, may the years ahead be filled with the warmth of cherished moments, and the satisfaction of a career exceptionally well-served.
I would also like to congratulate Shri Yogeshwar Prasad, posted in CGST & Customs Zone Hyderabad as Hawaldar for securing the first and second place in various categories of All India Civil Services Swimming Tournament 2023-24 held at Delhi.
Once again, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year! Like seasoned sailors navigating uncharted seas, may you chart new realms of professional excellence and find joy and contentment in your personal lives.
Till next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs.
