Truant Customs Officers - Clearances Held up
IN the same meeting, another point was raised on delayed clearances. It was stated:
We fully share the sentiments of the difficulties faced by the Customs Officers, having to travel from their place of residence to the various CFS's. However, at most of the CFS's, the import clearances do not commence till 12.30 p.m. Hence, the entire morning is wasted, resulting in huge congestion of trucks at the CFS's Gates from 3.30 p.m. onwards after the 1st Out of Charge is issued.
It is requested, that the 1st round for inspection and issuance of Out of Charge must be no later than 11.30 a.m., so that delivery could commence from 12.00 p.m. onwards.
The Department replied:
1. Functioning of Import Docks is in accordance with the procedures and timings prescribed in Standing Order No.52/2007 dated 14.12.2007. (As per this Standing Order, the first batch of registration is to start at 10.30AM)
2. However, all Officers have again been instructed to adhere to the timings.
3. It is seen that minimal no. of documents are being presented and cleared during the early hours in spite of the presence of Docks Officers.
4. Trade was requested to plan their programme schedule in such a manner that the work is divided evenly and the morning hours are also optimally utilized, without wasting the manpower and infrastructure available.
5. All the staff working in Docks have been instructed that all the Bill of Entry presented in the morning, the registration of the Bills of Entry, examination of the Imported goods and out of charge will be given by 1:30 PM.