Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Revenue)
****
Circular No.42/2013-Customs
New Delhi, dated the 25th October, 2013
To,
All Chief Commissioner of Customs,
All Chief Commissioner of Customs & Central Excise,
All Director General of CBEC.
Sir/ Madam,
Sub: Encouraging stakeholder participation in Customs functioning- reg.
The CBEC has a well established practice of involving stakeholders in
decision-making and resolving operational issues. This is exemplified by the
Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFCs) in each Custom House, which
includes local trade and logistics association as well as Customs Brokers
association. These committees typically meet once a month for deliberating
issues that impact day to day functioning. All senior departmental officers
including Commissioners of Customs attend the meetings.
- In this regard I am directed to state that noting the efficacy of the PTFCs
in resolving local issues the Board is of the view that these are needed to be
well attended by the trade bodies. Also, the PTFC meetings should be held at all
Customs locations, if not being done so already. This would ensure that local
issues of interest to the trade would get resolved quickly thereby furthering
the cause of trade facilitation. This would also prevent the escalation of
purely local issues to the Department/Board.
- The Board also notes that possibly, issues could be better resolved at the
local level if presented to the Chief Commissioners/Commissioners by the apex
trade bodies, who by virtue of membership spread across Custom Houses would have
a broader perspective. Hence, it would be fruitful to encourage the apex trade
bodies to meet the Chief Commissioners/Commissioners. The apex trade bodies
could also attend the PTFCs along with their constituents, who are members of
the PTFCs.
- The Board desires that as a trade facilitation measure aimed at encouraging
stakeholder participation and expeditious resolution of local issues (without
these being escalated to the Department/Board) the Chief Commissioners should
henceforth ensure that:-
- The PTFCs are held regularly with minimum of one meeting each per month on a
pre-decided date.
- Minutes of the PTFC meetings are sent to the Board through DG, Directorate
General of Export Promotion on issues having all India implication, if any.
- Apex trade bodies are allowed to attend the PTFC meetings along with their
local constituents, who are members of the PTFC.
- Efforts are made to regularly review the membership of the PTFC with the aim
of including all stakeholders in the Customs functioning.
- Chief Commissioners/Commissioners are receptive to meeting local and apex
trade bodies even outside the framework of the PTFC.
- Difficulties, if any, faced in the implementation of the instructions may be
brought to the notice of the Ministry at an early date.
Yours faithfully,
(M. Vasudevan)
Under Secretary (Cus. IV)
F. No. 450/199/2013-Cus IV
Copy for information and a request for dissemination to their constituent members to:
FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, PHD Chambers of Commerce, FFFAI, etc.