Government of India
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Tel +91-11-23092849, Fax : +91-11-23092890
E-mail : ajit.m@gov.in
D.O.No.54/CH(IC)/2020
Date: 15th February 2021
It’s now three months since the drive against the fraudulent use of fake GST invoices was launched in the second week of November, 2020. As on 13th February, 2021, the department has made 3046 cases and unearthed about 9294 fake GSTINs in just these 3 months. This is evidence that certain unscrupulous elements have tried to take undue benefit of the laws, procedures and reduced compliance measures designed for honest taxpayers under the GST regime to further their own profit at the cost of the nation. This, apart from having a huge impact on revenue, also puts the honest tax payer at a tremendous disadvantage in a highly competitive market place.
I must appreciate the efforts put in by officers of DGGI and the CGST Zones. While a lot has been done by them, some mop-up still remains. I am sure that they would continue to be vigilant against such fraudulent activity in the months ahead.
On the customs anti-smuggling front, novel modus was brought to light by Chennai Air Cargo customs while making a seizure of 44 Kgs of Hashish valued at Rs. 4.4 crore and 700 grams of Methamphetamine crystals valued at Rs. 70 lakh concealed in weighing machines that were destined for Doha (Qatar). The narcotic substances totally valued at Rs 5.1 crore were seized under NDPS Act. Congratulations to the Air Cargo team for this excellent detection.
Last week, the Board undertook a detailed review with the Zonal heads of the Customs and GST Zones in two separate meetings with the primary focus being on revenue augmentation efforts. The meeting with Customs formations also took stock of pendency of Provisional Assessments, Adjudications, BEs pending for payment of duty, etc. The status of Export Promotion schemes, recoverable arrears and disposal of goods were reviewed in a comprehensive manner. Another point of discussion with the Zonal heads related to Human Resource Development. The issues relating to delay in sanction and disbursal of rewards, domestic travel allowances, Mediclaim bills and expenditure on Swachhta initiatives, etc. were also deliberated on extensively. It was emphasized that no bills should be kept pending finalization on the pretext that funds are not available. A serious view should be taken against such non-performance. I am sure that the Zonal Chiefs would have by now in their periodic meetings discussed and laid, down the roadmap ahead with their officers and staff for the remaining days of this financial year. Officers and staff who are yet to get their dues should take up the matter with the administration through the department’s grievance redressal mechanism. Zones requiring funds may requisition the same from DGHRD. The Board will also be monitoring the situation in its weekly meetings with Zonal heads.
On completion of the 25th year of our digital journey since the launch of Indian Customs EDI System in 1995, the need to revamp and upgrade our Management Information System (MIS) was felt essential, mainly to keep up with the demands of an increasing digitized environment with a huge appetite for data-based analysis and action. The DG Systems have recently started uploading ADVAIT Reports and Dashboards on the ADVAIT portal (https://advait.cbic.gov.in). The portal have been used to display few Customs and GST reports, which were earlier being emailed to the Zones/Commissionerates. Last week, twenty reports pertaining to customs have been made available to officers on ADVAIT. These reports should be used both by the supervisory officers and the field officers diligently and feedback may be provided to DG systems with further suggestions and comments to improve its utility.
On the service front, the Department of Personnel and Training had recently conveyed the acceptance of the proposal to change the nomenclature of the service from Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) [IRS (C&CE)] to Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Indirect Taxes) [IRS (C&IT)]. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance has issued necessary orders to give it effect on 10th February, 2021. To those with a sense of history, the last change in nomenclature of the service happened way back in 2004 when the erstwhile Indian Customs and Central Excise Service [IC&CES] was renamed as Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) [IRS (C&CE)].
On a happy note, I would like you to recall that, as mentioned in my letter dated 24th August 2020, we had celebrated and cherished the proud moment when Shri Sandeep Chaudhary, Tax Assistant, Delhi CGST Zone was awarded with the `Arjuna Award’ for the year 2020. I am now happy to share with you that he has made the country and our department proud again by clinching the Gold medal with a throw of 61.22 metres in javelin F44 category at the 12th Fazza International Championships – Dubai 2021 World Para Athletics Grand Prix. I congratulate him and wish that all sports person associated with the department bring similar laurels to the country.
With the chill in the air in its last phase in most parts of the country, one needs to take care during this change in weather. I wish you and your family good health and cheer.
Yo rs sincerely
(M. Ajit Kumar)
To,
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
