MM TAX CLUB

The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Central Excise and Customs, Bhopal Zone, organised an All Chief Commissioners’ Conference on Customs matters at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 15-16 February, 2024. Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), presided over Chief Commissioners Conference.

The conference was attended by Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs); Smt Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member (IT & Taxpayer Services); Pr. DG, DRI, Shri Mohan Kumar Singh; Pr. Chief /Chief Commissioners of Customs Zones and Pr. DG/DGs of Directorates of CBIC; officers from CBIC and other departments including Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ; Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) ; Central Drugs Control Organisation (CDSCO) ; Wildlife Control Crime Bureau (WCCB) ; GST Network (GSTN); and Plant Quarantine etc.

This conference provided a platform for discussion and analysis of Customs functioning and further requirements of business process simplification, automation, infrastructure towards the India’s vision of 2047. The Indian Customs is involved in collection of approx. Rs. 2.13 lakh crore in FY 2022-23 (apart from IGST duties on import) and seizure of contraband goods of value of more than Rs. 6,000 crore and discharges critical border control functions.

In his keynote address, CBIC Chairman highlighted the need for standardisation of processes and to adopt the way of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform’ in all our activities to achieve efficiency.

In his address, Member (Customs) highlighted the key initiatives taken by the Customs and the need to take steps to align with the changing trade scenarios and global developments. DG, DRI, emphasised on the essentiality of intelligence in trade facilitation and for economic and environmental security.

The theme of the first day of conference centered around ‘Enhancing Customs Efficiency’ involving sessions on performance improvement, customs clearance processes, smart infrastructure requirements of Customs and Human Resources related issues.

The Customs is manning around 320 Ports, which includes 33 International Airports/Air Cargo Complex, 63 Seaports, 126 ICDs, 11 International Railway stations and 28 Foreign Post Office (FPO). It also processes more than 1.30 crore of declarations in a year and may exponentially increase in the coming years. Through the use of risk-based clearance process, more than 82%, import consignments get expedited clearance which reduce dwell time and cost for EXIM stakeholders. The matters deliberated includes digitisation of remote Land Customs Stations (LCS), the use of modern equipment, functioning of K9 units (Dog Squad), Track and Trace Units in Customs for enhancing efficiency. The appropriate changes in Human Resources and upskilling to complement the same was also felt during the discussions.

Day two of the conference centered around ‘Ease of Compliance’ in Customs functions which included sessions on Technology, Customs engagement with different Government Departments, process simplification for the Trade etc. The matters discussed include use of AI and other technology needs in customs functioning and have transformative approach in Customs automation. The issues related to process standardisation, improved grievance redressal and logistics improvements which can support the trade facilitation were also discussed.

CBIC Chairman acknowledged and appreciated the work done by the Indian Customs across the country and further suggested the need to scope for upgradation in infrastructure.

In his valedictory address, CBIC Chairman congratulated the Bhopal Zone for organising the conference where various technical matters, valuation and classification anomalies, enabling new technology and AI for fast delivery of services, supply chain and utilisation of potential of officers and upgradation of Infrastructure and skills of staff were deliberated upon.

CBIC Chairman also thanked all the participants for attending the conference and offering their suggestions. Member Customs indicated the need for adopting innovative approaches and leveraging the talent pool of young minds to find solutions.

Member (IT) emphasised the seamless linkage between processes and technology for enhanced trade facilitation. At the end, Shri C.P. Goyal, Chief Commissioner, Bhopal, thanked all the participants for attending the conference and making it a success.

Earlier, Shri Chandra Prakash Goyal, Chief Commissioner, Bhopal Zone, welcomed all the dignitaries and participants of the two-day conference.

Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), chaired a Conference of Chairpersons of Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) and Presiding Officers of Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) organised by Department of Financial Services in New Delhi, today.

The meeting was also attended by senior officers from the Public and Private Sectors Banks; Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Indian Bank Association (IBA); and senior officers from the Ministry of Finance and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).

During the meeting, wide ranging discussions were held with stakeholders to enhance the efficacy of DRTs for expeditious recovery of debts. The main issues discussed during the meeting included:

From its modest beginnings with annual exports of USD 0.6 billion in exports during 1987-88, proactive interventions by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) have taken agricultural exports to a remarkable figure of USD 26.7 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23. This journey of exponential growth is underscored by expanding the export basket to over 200 countries, showcasing a commendable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12%.

In the fiscal period 2022-23, India's agricultural exports reached USD 53.1 billion, with APEDA contributing a significant 51% of India’s Agri-exports. In the period April-December, 2023, among the 23 Principal Commodities (PCs) in APEDA's export basket, 18 exhibited positive growth. Notably, 13 out of 15 large PCs, with exports exceeding USD 100 million in the previous year, experienced positive growth, with an average growth rate of 12%. Fresh fruits emerged as a standout performer, registering a remarkable growth of 29%. Moreover, the export of processed vegetables surged by 24% in the period followed by Miscellaneous processed items, Basmati Rice, and Fresh Vegetables also saw substantial growth compared to the corresponding period last year. Notably, India has significantly expanded its fresh fruits export footprint, now serving 111 countries compared to 102 destinations in the previous year.

On its 38th Foundation Day on 13.02.2024, APEDA commemorated a remarkable journey of fostering agricultural exports, culminating in significant milestones and unprecedented growth. Founded in 1986 with the mission to promote the export of agricultural products, APEDA has evolved into a pivotal force in catapulting India's agricultural exports to new heights.

During April-November 2023, several key commodities witnessed substantial growth compared to the previous year, like, Bananas: 63%, Lentils (dried and shelled): 110%, Fresh eggs: 160% and Kesar and Dasheri Mango: 120% and 140%, respectively.

During the period from April to December 2023, the export value of Basmati rice surged by 19%, reaching USD 3.97 billion compared to USD 3.33 billion in the previous year. Simultaneously, the quantity of exports witnessed a notable growth of 11%, increasing from 31.98 lakh metric tons to 35.43 lakh metric tons within the same timeframe. Basmati rice found its way to the top markets, with Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the USA, and the UAE emerging as the top five destinations for these exports. This robust performance underscores the enduring popularity and global demand for Basmati rice, further solidifying its position as a major agricultural product in India's export portfolio.

The following will be the procedure/modalities relating to circulation of Letters for adjournment of cases:

1) Procedure in after-notice miscellaneous matters:

  a) No letters for adjournment shall be entertained in cases:

  i)       relating to bail/anticipatory bail;

 ii)  where exemption from surrendering has been granted;

 iii) where interim order is operating in favour of the party who seeks adjournment; and

iv)  where suspension of sentence has been sought for.

 b) In other matters, letters for adjournment can be circulated till one day prior to publication of main list.

2) Request for adjournment of case shall be submitted in the prescribed format as per Annexure ‘A’ through e-mail: adjournment.letter@sci.nic.in 

3) Specific reason for seeking adjournment and number of adjournments already sought shall be mentioned. 

4) It is mandatory to obtain consent/no objection of advocates/parties appearing on the other side / Caveator before circulating the letter for adjournment.

5) Letters can be circulated by one party/counsel to the case only once.

6) Two consecutive adjournments, irrespective of which party is seeking an adjournment, shall not be permitted without the matter being listed before the Court.

7) Matters so adjourned will be listed before the Court within an outer limit of four weeks with a specific date of listing and no mentioning for seeking preponement of the date in such matters is permitted. 

8) Letter(s) seeking adjournment shall be placed before the competent authority. If such request(s) is/are considered favourably, the list of matters not listed as per schedule will be notified on the website of this Court.

9) Circulating letters for adjournment in fresh and regular hearing matters is not permitted.