CHA Licence Examination - Time to Clear Additional Papers
BOARD had by Circular No.9/2010-Customs dated 8.4.2010, stipulated that persons qualified in written and oral examination held under Regulation 9 of the Customs House Agents Licensing Regulations (CHALR), 1984 but who were not granted Licence, are required to qualify in additional subjects to become eligible for grant of Licence under CHALR, 2004. Further, para 8.1 of the said Circular provides for one time opportunity to appear in examination for additional subjects to qualify them for grant of CHA Licence.
Board has re-examined the issue and observed that the intention of allowing these applicants to appear in the examination for additional subjects such as
(a) The Patents Act, 1970 and Copyright Act; 1957
(b) Central Excise Act, 1944
(c) Export promotion schemes,
(d) Procedure on appeal and revision petition,
(e) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,
(f) Online filing of electronic Customs declarations,
(g) Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and
(h) Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
was to ensure that they have working knowledge in these subjects as prescribed under CHALR, 2004.
However, restriction on providing one time opportunity to qualify the examination for additional subjects for grant of CHA licence does not appear to be justified and needs re-consideration.
Board has decided that all such applicants who had already passed the examination held under regulation 9 of CHALR, 1984 but have not been granted licence and are seeking qualification in additional subjects shall be allowed to clear the examination by 31.12.2012 irrespective of number of chances to become eligible for grant of CHA licence in terms of Regulation 9 of CHALR, 2004.
Board also wants the DGICCE to conduct necessary examinations expeditiously, after giving due notice to these candidates.
The Board should consider making it mandatory for all its officers to clear an annual examination on all the above subjects and some more. The annual increment should be denied to officers who do not clear the examination and those who clear the examination should go up in the seniority list. That way we will have more officers that are knowledgeable at the top.
Circular No. , Dated : August 24, 2011