Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee
IT was in the Year 2002 that the Kelkar Task Force on Indirect Taxers in its Consultation Paper recommended the constitution of a Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee.
Constitution of multi-agency framework at ports/airports (port trust, shipping companies, custodian, etc.) is a necessary requirement for a long term solution to the day to day problems associated with the clearance of import and export goods. This is since customs clearance procedures are not the sole cause of delay in the import and export of goods - inefficient port and airport logistics play an equally important role. Since delay by any one agency is invariably viewed as a delay in clearance through customs, the multi agency framework should be placed under Commissioner of Customs. Accordingly, it is recommended that a Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee should be constituted at each Port/airport/ICD/CFS comprising senior representatives of all agencies including Custom House Agents (CHAs) under the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Customs. The Committee should meet once a month to resolve all clearance related issues.
A High level Inter-Ministerial Committee may also be set up under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CBEC to resolve inter-agency issues to ensure a steady progress of clearance of import and export goods with reference to international norms.
That is how the PTFC came into existence more than ten years ago and they are functioning reasonably well in many Custom Houses, while it is almost unknown in many Customs formations.
But, what about the Inter-Ministerial Committee under CBEC Chairmanship? Is it functioning? Will Board clarify?