The Ministry of Finance’s Department of Revenue shared updates in a newsletter dated January 20, 2025. It highlights the observance of Swachhata Pakhwada from January 16–31, 2025, focusing on cleanliness, hygiene, and digitization. Departments are encouraged to mobilize participation in activities and competitions emphasizing sanitation and organizational efficiency through record digitization. The newsletter also details significant enforcement actions. Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Ahmedabad uncovered a customs duty evasion case involving undervaluation of high-end luxury car imports, amounting to Rs. 20 crore. Some importers have admitted to the misdeclaration and agreed to pay the differential duty. In another case, Customs officers at IGI Airport, New Delhi, intercepted a passenger attempting to smuggle foreign currency worth Rs. 1.35 crore, concealed within baggage. These efforts reflect the department’s vigilance and commitment to economic integrity. The newsletter encourages officers to continue working with dedication and integrity, drawing inspiration from the message of Uttarayan.
Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC, Dated: 20nd January, 2025
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 03/News Letter/CH(IC)/ 2025 Dated: 20th January, 2025
Dear Colleague,
Uttarayan marks the sun’s auspicious northward journey, symbolizing warmth, energy, and renewal in our lives. This celestial transition reminds us of the boundless opportunities it brings to reinvent ourselves and is celebrated across India as it is believed to bring positivity and prosperity. Just as the sun begins its ascent, dispelling the chill of winter, so too must we rise above challenges, and carry on with dedication and integrity.
Swami Vivekananda once said, “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.” I hope and believe that we will continue our journey to building a fair, efficient, and responsive tax administration with renewed vigour and commitment.
As you would be aware, the Department of Revenue is observing `Swachhata Pakhwada’ from 16-31 January, 2025. This initiative aims to promote the cause of Swachhata by creating a spirit of cleanliness, hygiene, and digitization. The Zones and Directorates are requested to actively encourage their officers to participate with enthusiasm in various activities and competitions. Special emphasis should be laid on mass mobilization for cleanliness and sanitation, as well as on digitizing and weeding out obsolete records to enhance organizational efficiency.
In a notable case, the officers of DRI Ahmedabad Zonal Unit, unearthed duty evasion involving high-end luxury cars. Intelligence revealed that importers were undervaluing the assessable value of these vehicles by 40-50% at the port of import to evade customs duties. Some of these luxury cars, were shipped from the USA, Japan, and Australia to intermediary locations such as Dubai and Sri Lanka for right-hand drive conversion (in the case of USA-shipped cars) before being imported into India. Cross-verification of export declarations at load ports confirmed the undervaluation. The estimated evasion of customs duty, in this case, amounts to about Rs. 20 crore and some of the importers have admitted to the misdeclaration and agreed to pay the differential duty. Wonderful detection!
In another interesting case, the Customs officers at IGI Airport, New Delhi, intercepted an Indian passenger intending to depart for Ras Al Khaimah via Hyderabad. Acting on intelligence developed by the Air Intelligence Unit, the passenger was intercepted for thorough search. The X-ray examination of the passenger’s baggage led to the recovery of foreign currency valued at approximately Rs. 1.35 crore, comprising 20,000 USD, 5,25,500 Saudi Riyals, and 1,000 Qatari Riyals, ingeniously concealed within the baggage. The case underscores the vigilance of Customs officers in safeguarding economic integrity. Well done!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 86 Customs.
