Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs 

DO No. 29/News Letter/CH(IC)/2024 Dated: 15th July, 2024

Dear Colleague

Beginning this week with a bit of trivia – this DO marks the 50th Newsletter I have written as Chairman. From the feedback I receive, it is heartening to know that officers not only take the time to read my newsletters but also view them as a valuable source of ideas and an indicator of the Board’s priorities. While at it, I must admit that I may have, occasionally, missed out on the efforts of some formations due to my own constraints. Nonetheless, the Board appreciates the hard work being done by the Directorates and field formations in CBIC.

CBIC has topped the charts in the latest GRAI ranking released by DARPG for the month of June 2024 – with an impressive score of 0.832. This is the first time that CBIC has secured top rank in the GRAI among various Ministries and Departments. The credit for this accomplishment goes to all formations for addressing the grievances promptly, particularly those handling the maximum number of grievances. And of course, DGTS has worked wonders by continuously monitoring and nudging towards improving grievance redressal mechanisms and the quality of grievance redressal. Well done CBIC and team DGTS!

Last week, the Directorate General of GST Intelligence shifted its Delhi premises to Dwarka. The new building has five storied state-of-the-art facilities comprising a modern forensic lab, a delightful cafeteria and a spacious conference room apart from other amenities. These facilities are poised to enhance the effectiveness of DGGI while promising a more amiable experience for taxpayers.

Some good cases in customs were noticed recently. Ahmedabad Customs Commissionerate booked a case of diversion of imported cut as polished diamonds/ruby from SEZ to DTA. Acting upon information, a few live export consignments containing studded diamonds were detained and it was found that these were grossly overvalued. The financial trail from the bank accounts of the exporter firm indicated high-value remittances to the tune of Rs. 2950 Crores that had been deposited/ transferred from various domestic firms/persons which were, during further investigation, found not traceable. One of the Directors of the firm admitted to the diversion of imported superior quality Cut 86 Polished Diamonds/ Ruby from SEZ to DTA while inferior quality diamonds were used in exports. Both the Directors have been placed under arrest for their role in evasion of the import duty amounting to Rs. 220 Crores by such diversion. Excellent investigation!

In another case, officers of DRI Delhi, on the basis of intelligence, intercepted two trucks on the suspicion that these were carrying smuggled electronic cigarettes and drones. The examination of the said trucks led to the seizure of 1,87,200 e-cigarettes of various brands and 145 pieces of DJI Brand Drones, which were smuggled into India illegally. The total 3/3 value of the seized goods is around Rs. 43.26 crores. An active member of the e-cigarette smuggling syndicate has also been apprehended. Great work Delhi DRI as E-cigarettes continue to be a public health challenge in India despite comprehensive bans.

Until next week! Yours sincerely, (Sanjay Kumar Kumar Agarwal)