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. 04/CH(IC)/2021
27th December, 2021
As a new Batch of IRS (C&IT) officers readies to assume their new responsibilities, I was reminded of these lines by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Speaking to the emotions of optimism, enthusiasm and fortitude in the face of challenges, these verses serve as an inspiration as well as a guide.
This week, saw the culmination of the professional training of the 71st Batch of IRS (C&IT) officers with an impressive Passing-Out Parade at NACIN, Faridabad. It was a matter of great pride for me to preside over the ceremony and to interact with the smart young officers. Whilst their professional training may have drawn to a close, I would advise them to continue their learning and to constantly endeavor to improve and upgrade themselves. I would also urge Zonal Chiefs at their respective places of posting to mentor and guide them to ease their settling in. My congratulations to Pr. DG, NACIN, Sh. Himanshu Gupta and his team for successfully conducting the training in the face of considerable challenges as well for organizing a most befitting finale.
In keeping with the WCO theme for the year 2022 of “Scaling up Custom’s Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Customs Data Ecosystem”, the National Time Release Study (NTRS), 2022 is planned to cover documents filed between January 1st to 7th, 2022. In this regard, NCTF has already held a meeting with the nodal officers at the 15 Customs Stations.
I encourage all formations to utilise this opportunity for an outreach programme to showcase our trade facilitation initiatives (especially those having a direct bearing on release time and cost), simultaneously with undertaking a detailed study of their impact and shortcomings, if any. Major Custom Houses may use this opportunity to conduct more detailed and nuanced local TRS. I found the earlier TRS conducted in JNCH to be a great learning experience. I encourage younger officers to join this exercise in evidence-based policy making.
It is fortuitous that the week witnessed the establishment of the India-Maldives Pre-arrival Customs Data Exchange Pilot Project. It is the first of its kind that we are entering into with another country. The project will give a major fillip to the concept of ‘Globally Networked Customs’ and shall go a long way in further strengthening India-Maldives trade relations.
On the Anti-Evasion side, acting on specific intelligence of clandestine supply of goods without payment of applicable taxes, officers of Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Ahmedabad with the support of local Central GST officers initiated search operations in Kanpur. It came to light that the transporter reportedly used to generate multiple invoices in the name of non-existent firms, all below Rs 50,000/- to avoid generation of E-way Bills while moving the goods.
The officers intercepted 4 such trucks and found other evidence of clandestine clearances. As a follow-up, large amounts of unaccounted for cash, suspected to be illicit sale proceeds exceeding Rs. 150 Crores was recovered from residential premises. My Congratulations to ADG, DGGI, Ahmedabad Zonal Unit and his team of officers for their hard work and dedication.
Continuing our efforts to combat illicit trade in environmentally sensitive items, officers of SIIB (Export), Nhava Sheva-II Commissionerate, intercepted a container entered for export containing more than 15,000 Kgs. of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus). While, the total illicit market value is more than Rs. 15 Crores, the environmental impact of such illicit trade is perhaps incalculable.
You may recall that certain amendments were made in the CGST Act, 2017 through Finance Act, 2021, on the recommendations of the GST Council. These amendments have now been notified w.e.f. 01.01.2022. I would urge the Zonal Chiefs to encourage officers to familiarize themselves with the changes and to implement these provisions in a just and fair manner.
I am happy to share that the department made yet another stride on the infrastructure side. An Administrative Approval & Expenditure Sanction has been received for the purchase of 12.20 acres of land from Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) at the cost of Rs. 161.23 Crore for the construction of an Office-cum-residential Complex to house all CBIC formations at Ludhiana. My compliments to DG, DGHRD and Chief Commissioner, Chandigarh Zone and their teams for their efforts.
Continuing our emphasis on new ideas and innovations (Navachar), officers of CGST, Faridabad Commissionerate, have put together a toolkit for their Anti Evasion Teams. The toolkit comprises of items such as Faraday Bags (to prevent remote access to enclosed digital devices), Optical endoscopes, Car Inverter to operate Printers etc., Battery Power Banks etc. The Kit is designed to enhance the productivity of Anti-Evasion teams. My encomiums to the officers for this initiative. Other field formations may like to equip field officers similarly.
I round out the week by placing on record my appreciation for Mr. Prasanth Kumar Kakarla, Joint Director, DRI, Chennai Zonal Unit, for being awarded a World Customs Organization scholarship for undertaking a Master’s Degree Programme at the Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
Before I sign off, I would like to nudge field formations to keep a close watch on revenue collections, particularly IGST import revenue. Zonal Chiefs may like to monitor revenue collections on a daily basis during this week and energize their teams to make all possible efforts so as to optimize collections.
Stay warm and take care of your loved ones. Till next week.
Yours Sincerely,
(Vivek Johri)
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
