Vivek johri
Chairam
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
DO No. 42/CH(IC)/2022 | Dated: 19th September, 2022
Dear Colleague,
This week, let’s begin with a quiz! What is common to Koodsia (Qudsia) Park, Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Talkatora Military Barracks (present site of the Parliament Annexe Building) and Pragati Maidan?
They, along with the Central Revenues Building, have all been sites of Customs Establishments in Delhi at different points in history. This and many other bonne bouche facts about our rich history are part of a delightful book that I came across this week, ‘A History of Indian Customs & Tariff.
Put together by officers of the 68th Batch of Probationers and published by the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) the book traces the journey of Indian Customs from steatite seals to RFID tags and everything in between. I whole heartedly recommend the book, especially for younger officers, not just as a connect to where we come from but also to get a better perspective of where we are headed.
The week opened with my visit to Bengaluru where I had the opportunity to interact with both GST & Customs officers. I was heartened to see the good progress they have achieved in almost all areas of work during the year. I am confident that they will redouble their efforts to achieve Saadhit targets in the remaining months.
Honoring COVID warriors comprising the Karnataka Zonal Response Team at a very poignant function organized by Sh. G. Narayanswamy, Additional Director General, NACIN was a rare privilege and a very humbling experience. May the sense of bonhomie, camaraderie & service to those in need remain at the heart of all our endeavours!
The highlight of the week is that the Hon’ble Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, inaugurated `Kendriya GST Parisar’, a departmental residential project at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai on the 14th of September. The project comprises 187 Residential quarters well-equipped with modern amenities and is expected to go a long way in alleviating the shortage of residential accommodation for departmental officers of all ranks in Mumbai. Heartiest Congratulations to the officers who toiled first to revive the project and then to convert it into reality in record time. The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) team and their vendors deserve plaudits for this accomplishment too.
Moving on, the upcoming NACIN Campus at Palasamudram is on its way to being yet another landmark in the CBIC annals. Last week, Member (Administration & Vigilance) and I, visited the campus to review the progress in its implementation as also in planning the transition from Faridabad. It was a sheer delight to see the pace of the transformation of a barren piece of land into a beautiful and very promising campus.
During the visit, Guest Houses named `Benishan Huts’ – named after the Benishan variety of Mangoes grown in the Academy orchards were inaugurated. Intended for use by departmental officers, the guest houses offer a haven away from the madding crowd that Hardy himself might have imagined! A quiet peaceful gazebo in the serene surroundings of the fruit orchard on the campus is an added attraction for a perfect weekend retreat. My sincere Congratulations to Principal Director General, National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics and his team for their passion and commitment.
On the anti-smuggling side, last week saw the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) interdict a consignment declared as ‘Floor Clean Mops’. Examination revealed more than 200,000 e-cigarettes, valued in excess of Rs. 48 Crore, concealed in container. With a view to prevent initiation of nicotine to non-smokers and other vulnerable groups, the import of e-cigarettes are banned. Kudos to the officers for an excellent detection.
Before I close for the week, I would like to share about an anthology of short stories ’………………., penned by Sh. Kundan Yadav, an officer of the 2007 Batch. The book launched during the week is a collection of stories that chronicle life and its vagaries in Benaras. Congratulations Kundan, keep the creative juices flowing!
Till next week!
Yours Sincerely,
(Vivek Johri)
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
