The new outlook of the Customs
Wing.
By: Arvind J.Raval. Advocate.
Customs-all
over the World, is considered unique, due to its position, the role it plays at
the
borders,
and ports of entry, and the authority to inspect exports and imports, and
charge
appropriate
duties. Although the traditional role of the Customs administration is
revenue-collection,
customs
operations are rapidly evolving to include trade-facility, combating commercial
fraud,shady
deals,
international links of crime etc.
Invariably the shady deals lead to fraud which is often linked
to
organised crime practised in a variety of ways to include revenue and fiscal
evasion, through false
declaration,
misuse of exemptions and even money laundering.
Some do
not like to pay readily and willingly. Some are out to cheat by smuggling,
under-invoicing,
over-invoicing
as the case be. Domestic and international trade over the years has
significantly
increased
the volume of export and import of goods of our country. This has led to
increased
opportunities
to increase revenue to the exchequer. It has increased responsibilities of
Customs.
These
additional responsibilities on the Customs wing has increased their volume of
duties,alertness,compilation
of information and over and above a very very vigilent eye at all times.
This
is especially true in the country's present circumstances when it is passing
through an acid
test
of its economic-progress. It is now a challenge for the Customs wing to save
every rupee and
strengthen
the hands of the Government in light of the fact that India is a candidate for
Super-
Power
in the next coming years.
In
our Country, and indeed, in many other countries also, the mere mention of the
word Customs
and
Customs operations evokes images of corruption, graft, greed, bureaucracy, to
the extent
that,
even commercial fraud is attributed erroneously to Customs officials in the the
minds of
general
public. There are certain notorious
elements in the business circle who are the prime
perpetrators
of commercial fraud.There are some traders, travellers even in some isolated cases
offences
were perpetrated with the connivance of port-authority police or the customs
officials.
We
have to attempt to improve our image at large in the eyes of the public and
change the world
opinion
about us. All know that maintaining free and expedious flow of goods and
traffic and at
the
same time observe to apply controls checks and counter-checks for safeguard of
revenue and
security
is not an easy task. Happily we have been moving towards a developed framework
of a
standard
to secure and facilitate global trade from the country-of-origin to the
country-of-
consignment.
These standards do promote customs-to customs networking, and customs
to
business partnership. It includes use of pre-arrival information, application
of risk management
automated
systems and the establishment of effective consultative relationship with
customs
trading
counterparts and other stake-holders and providing a dispute settlement system
in
customs
related matters especially valuation and capacity building. It will provide the
Customs
sleuths
to deliberate and develop new strategies and instruments to provide support
with new
instruments.
The new crop of Customs Officers have endeared themselves to the public by
their
efficiency
friendliness and firmness with which they have performed their duties at
International
Airports. Foreigners who came into contact with them
have recognised this. The approach is now
shifting
from exclusive movement control to more audit-based controls.
India
is a continent with one billion of its population. It is a peninsula. Our land
borders touch many
neighbourly
countries. We have a very large sea-coast. India is susceptible to anything and
everything,
and any type of mischief at the hands of unscrupulous elements is possible.
We
have to guard our borders which runs into thousands of miles. Punctuality,
devotion and the
spirit
for a kill (not that we have to actually kill anyone in the course of duty);
that do-or die spirit,
are
pre-requsites of a dedicated sleuth of customs. It is learnt reliably that
chaos happens at the
the
end of a shift-duty. The out-going staff is in a hurry to leave; the incoming
leisurely lot is not
mentally
ready to take over. It is said a wise
cop always reports five minutes early than his
scheduled
duty time. Similarly he leaves five minutes late after end of his duty shift.
Everything
can
happen in that small period which can make your life, or ruin your life. The
under-world has
deeply
studied the methods and practices and they have a list of your minutest details
of your likes,
your
weakness etc. The officers have to be watchful in the areas which include
vigilant eye
against
drug-trafficking counterfeiting, piracy, money-laundering and terrorism. A.M.D.G.
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