In the weekly newsletter dated June 17, 2024, Chairman Sanjay Kumar Agarwal of the CBIC highlights the upcoming International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26. He encourages customs field formations to collaborate with local entities to raise awareness from June 12 to 26, emphasizing social media outreach. The newsletter also mentions new instructions on the Aadhar Enable Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for government employees. It applauds Mumbai Customs for seizing 32.69 kg of gold worth Rs. 19.15 crores and praises DGGI Meerut for uncovering a Rs. 480 crore duty evasion involving clandestine clearance of chewing tobacco. The newsletter concludes with a tribute to the late Sh. Raj Kumar Digvijay, acknowledging his dedication and extending condolences to his family.
Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 17/06/2024
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
17th June, 2024
DO No. 25/News Letter/CH(IC)/2024
Dear Colleague,
As you are aware, 26th June of every year is designated as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This annual observance serves to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking, while also highlighting the efforts in combating this global challenge. In line with this important initiative, the Board has issued instructions to the Customs field formations to dedicate 12th to 26th June to this cause in coordination with educational institutions, local bodies, NGOs and State Government(s). I would urge the formations to wholeheartedly participate by organizing a diverse array of activities and campaigns to raise awareness, especially among the youth, and engage citizens in the mission against drug abuse. To ensure the success and impact of this fortnight-long event, concerted efforts are to be made to promote these events extensively through social media platforms, thereby amplifying their reach and cultivating a greater sense of collective responsibility towards achieving the vision of a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
Fresh instructions regarding the implementation of Aadhar Enable Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) for attendance of all Government employees have been recently issued taking note of the O.M. issued by the Department of Personnel 86 Training (DoP86T) for strict monitoring of the attendance of the employees. I would request all the officers to adhere to the instructions in letter and spirit.
Keeping an eye against gold smuggling, Customs officers at the Mumbai International Airport, based on spot profiling, seized 32.69 Kgs of Gold valued at Rs. 19.15 Crores which was concealed in the clothing and baggage of two passengers – possibly one of the largest gold seizures from passengers at the airport.
In a dramatic outcome, the suspect passengers were apprehended after a chase by the Customs officials. A golden display of vigilance and swift action by the Mumbai Customs!
The officers of DGGI, Meerut Zonal Unit, based on specific intelligence, initiated an investigation against a manufacturing unit located in a remote city of western Uttar Pradesh regarding clandestine clearance of chewing tobacco (Khaini). Reconnaissance of the manufacturing premises and tracking of several vehicles moving in and out of the unit revealed that these vehicles used e-way bills of other commodities as a decoy while diverting from the declared route to unload clandestinely cleared chewing tobacco at several warehouses located in the Delhi NCR region. During the search operation at the manufacturing facility, warehouses, residential as well as business premises of dealers, transporters and intermediaries, several incriminating data/ Kuccha records/ digital devices etc were recovered apart from unaccounted cash. The team’s efforts have uncovered a massive evasion of duty of nearly Rs. 480 Crores. DGGI Meerut deserves an encomium for the success of the operation!
With a heavy heart, I share the news of the untimely demise of our beloved colleague, Sh. Raj Kumar Digvijay. He was an officer who was fiercely hardworking, gregariously affable, and courageously independent. The department will forever remain indebted to his remarkable legacy and enduring spirit. As we extend our deepest condolences, we also pray that God grants his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace in heaven!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs.
