Customs – Adjudicators Appointed
CBEC has appointed adjudicating authorities for adjudication of specific DRI cases. Instead of issuing a notification, whenever DRI books a multi- jurisdictional case, why can't the Board appoint a few adjudicating officers in the DRI who can adjudicate all DRI cases? Similar arrangement can be made for DGCEI cases also.
The present system of DRI booking cases and issuing Show Cause Notices and then making the jurisdictional officers to adjudicate them, is a cumbersome process. In any case, Commissioners and below who adjudicate DRI cases routinely confirm the demand, not that they don't in other cases.
There seems to be lurking fear within the Department that DRI will be very angry if their cases are dropped.
The first stage of Departmental adjudication has become a real farce and waste of time and money and is helpful only to consultants.