DDT 306 - 20 02 2006 - Smuggling is not the dishum dishum of Mumbai films; it can simply be imports through Vizag port.
DDT 307 21 02 2006 - 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!”
Board has finally woken up and a notification is now issued to not only appoint Vizag and Kakinada for imports but also to add several ports. Is the problem solved? For the future, YES, but what about the past? Commissioners were very angry with us and accused us of sensationalised reporting when we said imports through these ports were illegal and not only the goods were liable for confiscation but officers abetting the smuggling were liable for penal action. Senior officers could not believe that such a major flaw could go on for years. Another officer asked us to look in the Old Sea Customs Act for a notification, as these ports are very old! But the Board’s amendment to the notifications proves us right. The fact that these ports were notified now proves that they were not till yesterday. Any way we are grateful that at least now reason has dawned on the powers that be to set right an error glaringly mocking at the law for the last 12 years. In fact we called up one of the Commissioners to congratulate him on finally being able to preside over a legal port!
NOTIFICATION NO. (N.T.)-Cus., Dated: May 23, 2006