Customs Vacancies Galore in SEZs - Why are Officers not Posted?
ACCORDING to a Commerce Ministry Letter, there are 159 posts of Deputy Commissioners of Customs lying vacant in several SEZs. The total vacancy position as on 1.6.2016 is like this:
Deputy Commissioner | Superintendent | Appraiser | Preventive Officer | Examiner |
159 | 131 | 251 | 731 | 40 |
Recently the Additional Secretary in the Commerce Ministry discussed this issue with the Chairman, CBEC and followed it up with a letter stating that:
+ There are 7 Central Government SEZs across the country.
+ About 30% of the exports from India are through SEZs and therefore, SEZ have a very significant role in the export from the country.
+ The role of Customs officers and staff in SEZs is critical to the import and export activities carried out in SEZs and enforcement of Customs Act in the SEZs. This has become more critical in view of the recent Gazette Notifications dated 5/8/2016 notifying the offences under the SEZ Act, 2005 and the investigating agencies/authorities competent to investigate into any offence under the SEZ Act, 2005. It is therefore very important that the vacant Customs posts in SEZs are filled up on a priority basis.
+ There is an urgent need to post Deputy Commissioner (Customs) in Noida, SEEPZ, Cochin and Chennai SEZs which are quite sensitive and have higher volume of activities.
He said he would be grateful, if the concerned Customs authorities are directed to initiate necessary action to fill up these vacancies immediately.
This was followed up by a letter from the Commerce Secretary to the Revenue Secretary in which she stated:
+ With about 30 per cent of the exports from India being through SEZs, it would not be appropriate to continue vacancies for a long period. Unfortunately, as the attached vacancies status of customs formations in SEZs indicate, we have a large number of vacancies many at very sensitive locations.
+ This matter has been pursued on regular basis with the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC). However, the pace of filling up of vacancies has been slow and this is a cause of concern.
+ In terms of priority, it is requested that the posts of Deputy Commissioners of Customs in NOIDA SEZ,MEPZ Chennai, FALTASEZ in Kolkata and Cochin SEZ may be prioritised. These SEZs have high volume of activity and are sensitive for a number of reasons.
To this, the CBEC reacted by calling upon the Chief Commissioners to send the names willing and eligible officers latest by 24th October - through proper channel of course.
But why is the CBEC not able to fill these posts? Are there no takers?
CBEC F.No.A.35017/64/2016-Ad. II(Pt.)., Dated: October 14 2016