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Open House Meeting held on 25-11-2004
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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS
MINUTES OF THE OPEN HOUSE MEETING OF THE CHIEF COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS, MUMBAI ZONE I, II, & III HELD WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TRADE AND INSUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ON 25TH NOVEMBER 2004 AT 3.30 P.M. IN THE CONFERENCE HALL OF THE MUMBAI CUSTOM HOUSE The following representatives of the BCHAA, Trade and Industry attended the meeting: 1) AIIEA (All India Importers & Exporters Associations). 2) Tata Group 3) BCHAA (Bombay Custom House Agent’s Association). 4) Indian Merchant Chamber 5) Individual / Member of the Public 6) The Dyestuff Manufacturer’s Association of India 7) STREP 2. The Open House Meeting started with the Chief Commissioner of Customs welcoming all the members. The Chief Commissioner introduced Shri A. K. Prasad, who has joined recently as Commissioner of Customs (Import) to the Members, and stated that the various issues and problems relating to trade and industry would receive due attention and there would be overall improvement under his Supervision, as he has got vast experience both in administration and policy-making. The Chief Commissioner also introduced Shri K. P. Mishra, who assumed the additional charge of Commissioner of Customs (E.P.) as well as Commissioner of Customs (General) and wished that the exporting fraternity would benefit from his experience and understanding of various trade-related problems. All members present, Commissioner of Customs (Import), and Shri K. P. Mishra, Commissioner of Customs (E.P. & General) and hoped that the trade would extend full co-operation to them during their tenure in Custom House. 3. The minutes of the last Open House Meeting were concurred by the members present. Thereafter, the agenda points for the meeting were taken up for discussion. In regard to first point relating to release of Bonds executed in respect of anti-dumping duty on imports of citric acid, one of the members referred the minutes of the meeting held on 23.07.2004, wherein it was informed that the Board vide its letter F. No.523/2/2004-Cus (TU) dated 31.05.2004 had clarified that Notification No. 94/98 – Cus dated 24.11.1998 imposing anti-dumping duty, has expired on 23.11.2003 and instructions were issued to finalise all the provisional assessments pending on the issue. The Member pointed out that about 30 bonds executed in various groups in this regard, are still pending cancellation. The Chief Commissioner asked the member to meet the concerned Commissioner/Additional Commissioner who shall ensure finalisation of all provisionally assessed Bills of Entry, on the issue latest by 10th December,2004. 3.1 In cases where Bank Guarantees (BG’s) under DEEC, EPCG Schemes have been executed by the trade, the Chief Commissioner called upon the members to expedite submission of Export Obligation Discharge Certificates to enable the department to cancel these Bank Guarantees. 4. The second point was regarding delay in issuance of the Order-in-Original after the conclusion of Personal Hearing, the Chief Commissioner informed the member to approach the concerned authority in this regard stating that he had already spoken in this matter, and the same will be finalised by 10th December, 2004. 5. One of the members pointed out that a number of DEEC Books are pending for logging for more than 4 to 5 years even as the Board has issued a circular in this regard. While discussing the matter, the Chief Commissioner stated that a three-member committee was formed to look into the problems faced by the trading community in logging their DEEC Books. It is learnt that the committee has gone into the details and has found that the logging could not be done in a number of cases due to various reasons. Since none of the committee members was present in the meeting, the Chief Commissioner stated that he would discuss the issue with the committee members as soon as they resume office on their return from leave. 6. One of the members present in the meeting, pointed out that for re-import of export consignments (under Section 20 of the Customs Act and Notification No. 94/96-Customs), the officers in the IAD Section of Mumbai Customs are calling for ‘no objection’ from the Customs stations from where the exports had taken place. The importers of such consignments are being asked to first reimburse the export benefits availed by them during exportation and then present their import documents for clearance. The Chief Commissioner asked the concerned member to furnish a detailed note in the matter to concerned Commissioner / Additional Commissioner who would sort out the problem. 7. One of the members raised the issue of import of lactose (Pharma Grade) for which the importers are being asked to obtain NOC from Animal Quarantine authorities whereas the NOC should come from the Assistant Drug Controller. The Chief Commissioner directed the member to submit a detailed note to Commissioner of Customs to enable him to examine and take remedial action in the matter. (Action: Commissioner of Customs (Import) 9. One of the Members pointed out that the Touch Screen-Kiosks installed to provide on-screen information regarding the Bills of Entries/ Shipping Bills were not working properly causing hardship to importers/exporters to monitor their documents in the Customs House. The Chief Commissioner assured the Members that corrective measures would be taken to ensure proper functioning of the touch-screen Kiosks. 10. Some of the Members raised the issue of specific problems being faced by them in filing their documents through ICEGATE. It was stated that the software in the ICEGATE should be upgraded / accommodated to automatically accept minor amendments. The members also suggested that a Nodal Officer may be posted to handle such work. The Chief Commissioner stated that at present about 30% of the total documents filed in Mumbai – Zone are being handled on ICEGATE and the number is likely to increase in the course of time. The ICEGATE is still in its primary phase of operation. Once it stablises, it would reduce the difficulties being faced by the Members. At present, the DC / Import alongwith DC/Groups are handling the work of various amendments in IGM, B/Es, both manually and on EDI System and work is going on smoothly. Till further arrangements are made and the system is upgraded, the present procedure for amendments may continue. 11. Shri Nihalani raised the issue of interaction between the officers and Members of the trading fraternity and expressed his dissatisfaction at recent instructions issued by the department to keep away members of the public such as importers / CHAs from the officers, He requested that there should be no restriction on interaction between the officers and public. The Chief Commissioner stated that the public is allowed to meet the officers to sort out their grievance within a stipulated time-limit on each working day. He also stated that the department, in modern times, has evolved a user-friendly culture which has improved the overall performance such as reduced time taken for clearance of goods, reduction in handling and demurrage charges, etc. 12. One of the Members raised the issue of amendments in Bills of Entry, which are filed in advance before the arrival of the Vessel. The member was of the view that the exchange rate column provided in the software should not cause a problem for minor amendments, and requested that the Systems Directorate may be requested to make necessary provision in the software for such cases so that importers do not face difficulties at a later stage when their Bills of Entry are presented for assessment on arrival of the vessel. The Chief Commissioner requested the member to give a descriptive narration of the proposal to enable the Department to analyse the same and if necessary, forward the same to the Systems Directorate for further necessary action in the matter. 13. One of the members stated that weighing machine if imported as a part of complete machine should be exempted from the provisions of the Standards of Weights & Measures Act, 1976 relating to compulsory registration of Importer. Chief Commissioner directed Commissioner (Import) to look into the matter and sort out the problem. (Action: Commissioner of Customs (Imports) 14. The Chief Commissioner of Customs thanked all the members present. (R. S. SANGIA) 1. The Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone – II and III Copy for information and wide circulation to:
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