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 : vivekjohri.irs@gov.in
13th June, 2022
DO No. 28/CH(IC)/2022
Last week, we all celebrated the Iconic Week of the `Azaadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (AKAM) for the Ministry of Finance. It was heartening to note the fervour and enthusiasm with which everyone participated in the events.
One of the highlights of the celebration was the dedication to the nation of the brilliantly curated and passionately restored Dharohar’ – the National Museum of Customs and GST in Panaji, Goa by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs.
The first thing that strikes as one approaches the beautiful colonial building by the Mandvi riverfront is the distinctive indigo colour of the facade. This particular hue of indigo, called ‘Customs Blue’, was specially created for the Museum and is evocative of indigo, which was the major item of trade during the Portuguese colonial days.
Showcasing the glorious history of Indian Customs and Indirect taxes from ancient to contemporary times, the Museum is a veritable treasure trove. Spread across two floors, it is chock-full of rare and unique items – such as a handwritten copy of the Ain-i-Akbari, written by court historian Abu’l Fazl or the gold-gilded idol of Jambala – believed to be an emanation of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The Museum has been through an extensive renovation and technology has been put to great use to bring alive the exhibits and to make it interactive for visitors. Amongst it all the one thing that stands out is the sheer hard work that has gone into making the Museum a true National Treasure. The Museum is a ‘must see’, the next time you are in Panaji. My sincere congratulations to all the officers associated with the project for their hard work and devotion. In order to retain its novelty and visitor interest, we would need to carry out regular activities at the museum. I invite your suggestions in this regard.
Moving on, the week also saw the destruction of about 42,000 kgs. of seized Narcotics Psychotropics in 14 locations across the country. Destruction of seized contraband is an important pillar of our enforcement activities that seeks to close the loop on interdiction of harmful drugs.
For AKAM celebrations to be successful for our department we need to develop a good understanding of how our operational environment and societal expectations from us are likely to change over the next few decades. This would enable us to adapt suitably and remain future ready. With a view to gain this understanding a series of six lectures by eminent personalities/experts are planned over the next one year.
This series was inaugurated in Mumbai on 09th June, 2022. Sh. Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, delivered the Opening Lecture on “Indian Businesses (Past, Present and Future)’. The event saw enthusiastic participation from the Trade as well as from senior officials from the Centre and the State Governments. This is the first of many more lectures by eminent personalities that will provide a forum to interact with leading minds in their respective fields.
Further, our field formations organized a number of other events such as plantation of saplings, Cyclothons, Nukkad Nataks et al. Kudos for a job well done!
On the Anti-Evasion front, last week Delhi Airport Customs interdicted about 10 Kg. Heroin from a foreign national. The contraband was ingeniously concealed in the lining of the suitcase carried by the passenger. Heartiest Congratulations to the officers for an excellent detection.
In a novel initiative, Wishranf a Day Care Centre for Elderly Dependents of Department officers was inaugurated in the Ghaziabad CGST Commissionerate. It is a well-furnished facility with amenities like games, rest areas, computers etc. and is connected to canteen and medical facilities on call. My Congratulations to Pr. Chief Commissioner, Customs & CGST Zone, Meerut and his team for an excellent initiative.
Before, I sign off for the week, I would like to share that one of our officers, Jain Gaurav Kumar has been selected for a World Customs Organization Scholarship for the Master’s Degree Programme in Public Finance at the National Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. Many Congratulations Gaurav, we hope that the programme will serve to enrich you as well as the CBIC administration.
Till next week!
Yours Sincerely,
(Vivek Johri)
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
