The Customs (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2011 Introduced in Lok Sabha
AS Parliament was rocked by uproarious scenes, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee introduced the Customs (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2011. Hardly any one was aware of this Bill.
The Bill seeks to confer jurisdiction on DRI officers to issue Show Cause Notice with retrospective effect. “ Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any judgement, decree or order of any court of law...all persons appointed as officers of customs...before July 6, 2011 shall be deemed to have and always had the power of assessment... and have been proper officers for the purpose ”. This is to undo the effect of the Supreme Court decision!
The Bill will most probably be passed without a debate in one of the quick passages when most of the members are busy disturbing the proceedings. This is how laws are passed in India!