Rampant Smuggling in Mumbai too, not in Vizag alone
DDT had mentioned on several occasions that import through a port other than a port notified is an offence and falls within the definition of smuggling under the Customs Act. As Vizag has not been notified as a port for import all imports through Vizag amount to smuggling. Many officers of Vizag Customs are not exactly happy with DDT for highlighting the fact that every import through Vizag is smuggling. A very senior officer told us that this is sensational reporting, but why can't they get a notification issued? DDT's comments yesterday drew sharp comments from another officer of Vizag Customs. "Why can't you write about the smuggling in Mumbai port?", he asks us in apparent anguish, "by your logic, there is more smuggling in Mumbai - for Mumbai port is also not declared as a port under the Act". Yes Sir, you are right. All imports in Mumbai also fall under the category of smuggling. Strangely the Board has no time for elementary basic concepts. Actually this is where it all started. My Bangalore lawyer friend told me, "There is lot of smuggling in Mumbai!"