Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 22/03/2021

M. Ajit Kumar
Chairman

Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Tel. No. : +91-11-23092849, Fax No. : +91-11-23092890
E-mail : ajit.m@gov.in

D.O.No.59/CH(IC)/2020

Date: 22^nd March 2021

Dear Collegue

The week gone by had begun on a positive note. A Departmental Screening Committee meeting was held for ad-hoc promotions from the grade of Senior Translator to the grade of Assistant Director (Official Language). Due to this, 14 officers are likely to get promoted as AD (OL).

The Board, in its review meetings with the Zonal Chiefs, has been taking stock of the pendency in sanction/disbursal of rewards. While there are some reports from officers that reward committees have still not met in a few Commissionerates, I am happy to note that good progress has been made in sanction as well as disbursal of the pending rewards in many zones. Chiefs should take stock and no case ripe for sanction should be kept unattended on any pretext, including that the budget has been exhausted. The Directorate General of Vigilance (DGoV), rising to the occasion, conducted a 3 day special drive and responded to 117 references covering 292 officers, seeking vigilance clearance for disbursement of rewards. I am also told that there were no pending reference in the office of Pr. DG, DGoV, as on 16^th March 2021. I congratulate Pr. DG, DGoV and her team for their dedicated work.

The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) has been coming out with a monthly CBIC Newsletter since January, 2021. The monthly issues are well designed and pleasantly crafted. They comprehensively cover the initiatives of the department, capacity building – webinars, trade interactions, updates from the Zones, major anti-evasion cases and success stories for disseminating the same to departmental officers and staff. I am sure that you would have enjoyed reading it as well. My appreciation to the DG, DGTS and her team behind its preparation.

On the anti-smuggling front, the officers of ICD-Export, Tughlakabad, New Delhi stopped a container declared as ‘Plastic Flexible Pipes’, and found it to contain ‘Peacock Tail feathers’ weighing 2565 Kgs. As the goods were both mis-declared and are goods which are prohibited for export they were seized. I congratulate the alert team of officers for stopping this illegal export, one that harms our National Bird.

The Delhi Customs (Preventive), Commissionerate celebrated the sacrifices of Himveer Jawans of Indo-Tibetan Border Police and their long years of dedicated service to the Nation, during a `Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav’ function. 75 saplings, celebrating the 75^th Anniversary of India’s independence, were planted on this occasion in the premises of the 39^th Battalion of the ITBP at Lakhnawali (near Noida) in Uttar Pradesh.

On the Swachh Bharat Mission, the CGST Dimapur Commissionerate, Nagaland, has contributed to the turnaround of an area at Phivema village in Dimapur, Nagaland. The area was previously used as a place for dumping garbage and has now converted into an Eco Park – a green area for the recreational benefit of the people of the village. The Phivema Eco Park was inaugurated on 19^th March, 2021. Another such project is that of Customs (Preventive), Amritsar. In its efforts towards improving infrastructure at Pingalwara, a charitable society meant for housing destitutes in Amritsar, Punjab, the Commissionerate provided furniture for the langar area. About 1500 residents are fed, housed and treated in two branches of Pingalwara at Amritsar. For the basic needs of the female residents, 2 incinerators were installed for proper menstrual waste disposal. A composter for handling the bio-degradable waste was installed as well. Congratulations for the social responsibility shown by both the formations. I am sure other Commissionerates would have executed similar programs for enhancing the cleanliness of their social surroundings.

Last week, Member (Customs) and I visited Jeevan Bharti Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi to discuss emerging issues relating to the offices of DGEP, DIC, DGARM, Commr Inv. (Cus) and Commr. Inv. (GST). It helped us interact with the officers and staff for chalking out the strategy for the next Financial Year. It was a rewarding experience.

On the Welfare front, the grant of financial assistance from the Welfare Fund to the officers/staff towards medical expenses of about Rs. 7.50 lakh incurred by 12 officers /staff on their own/dependents medical treatment, not covered under CS(MA)/CGHS Rules, were approved. An ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh to the family of 10 departmental employees who died in harness was also approved for early disbursal through DGHRD and the respective field formations.

In a very interesting program NACIN Faridabad held a one day meet between the probationers of the CBIC and CBDT, comprising ’74^th Batch of IRS (IT) and 72^nd Batch of IRS (C&IT), on 19^th March 2021. The event saw a lecture on GST, a friendly match of volleyball and soulful cultural performances from the officer trainees. I am sure that these interactions would bolster the strong synergy between the two sister organisations of the Finance Ministry.

Last week brought the sad news of the untimely demise of Shri Ganga Singh Karki, Commissioner, a fine officer from the 1996 batch of IRS (C&IT). He had been an asset to the department with his wide exposure within as well as outside the department including International Organisations. I, on behalf of the department and on my own behalf, express our deep felt condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.

I close my letter by reminding you to nudge the taxpayer to maintain an error and delay free return filing compliance record. May you and your family enjoy good health and happiness in the days ahead.

Yours sincerely

(M. Ajit Kumar)

To,

All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs