|
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Anti-Smuggling Unit (CBIC)
***
Instruction No. 13/2021-Customs
Room No. 501, 5th Floor, Hudco Vishala Building,
R. K. Puram, New Delhi dated 21.06.2021
To
The Pr. Chief Commissioners/ Chief
Commissioners Customs/ Customs (P),
Ahmedabad/
Bengaluru/Bhubaneshwar/Chennai/Cochin/Hyderabad
Kolkata/Mumbai-I/II/III/Pune/Trichy/Visakhapatnam.
Madam/Sir,
Subject:
Regulating Movement of Indian Sailing vessels (ISVs) (Dhows) Security
Issue-reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to O.M No.
25022/29/2019-Imm.dated 18.02.2021 (copy enclosed), on the above mentioned
subject.
2. As may be seen, the MHA reiterates that as per the existing
legal framework, a vessel on International voyage should neither depart from
nor attempt to enter into India through any point or place other than
designated Immigration Check Posts. Further, it is apprehended that Indian
Sailing Vessels (ISVs)/Dhows proceeding on International voyages from certain
non-designated Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) of Gujarat have obtained
clearances from MMD,Customs and Marine Police.
3. In the wake of the
likely involvement of these vessels in narco smuggling, human smuggling
etc., the MHA has intimated that Customs authorities should refrain from
issuing clearances to these vessels from non-designated seaports ICPs.
Further, while granting clearance at designated ICPs, all security
regulations viz. physical verification of the crew on board, checking of
their passports and seaman identity card, endorsing of departure and arrival
stamps on their passports as the case may be as mandated by the Government of
India should be fulfilled on par with other merchant vessels.
4. This
being a matter of serious security concern in the coastal areas, the Board
desires that all officers concerned should be sensitized for being vigilant
to avoid any unwarranted movements of ISVs/ Dhows and to issue clearances
from designated ICPs/Sub check Posts of designated ICP to said vessels,
strictly in accordance with the aforementioned instructions of the MHA.
Yours faithfully,
File No.394/50/2021-Cus(AS)
Encl: As above.
(Sharad Srivastava)
Director (Anti-Smuggling)
Tel.
No. 011- 26177519
|