DGEP – work allotted
The CBEC has decided to allocate the following items of work to the Directorate General of Export Promotion ( DGEP )
(I) Work relating to the following Export Promotion Schemes (both Customs and Central Excise).
(i) 100% Export Oriented Units
(ii) Special Economic Zones ( including work relating to erstwhile Free Trade Zones and Export Processing Zones)
(iii) Special Jewellery Complexes and Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Schemes
(iv) Software Technology Park and Electronic Hardware Technology Park Schemes
(II) Monitoring of the Export Promotion Schemes as at Item No.(I), analysis of periodical reports/returns/statistics, and legislative work relating to the above schemes (both Customs and Central Excise).
(III) Meetings of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board ( FIPB ), Boards of Approval (BOA) for EOU / SEZ , Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee ( IMSC ) in the Department of Information Technology etc., meetings with DGFT / Ministry of Commerce on matters relating to above Export Promotion Schemes and interaction with Trade including Export Promotion Councils.
(IV) Act as a central consultative body with the trade and other stakeholders (Trade Associations and Chambers of Commerce such as FlEO , Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations of India, Air Cargo Agents Association of India, National Association of Container Freight Stations, Export Promotion Councils, Indian Ports Association etc.) and suggest changes in Customs clearance procedures with a view to facilitate international trade, wherever necessary.
(V) Review Customs trade facilitation measures from time to time with a view to evaluate their efficacy and suggest further improvements.
(VI) Study the best international practices concerning Customs clearance procedures for their adoption.
( VII ) Over-see and analyze the dwell time for clearance of import/export cargo at various major ports, airports, ICDs etc. and, as appropriate, make recommendations relating to clearance procedures followed by Customs and other agencies, with a view to reduce dwell time.
(VIII) Review the trade facilitation initiatives of the Custom Houses and other field formations e.g. Review the working of the Drawback Committees/Regional Advisory Committees/ED! Committees/Watch Dog Committees etc. in the various customs field formations for any modification in law and procedures. Monitor the maintenance and updating of the websites of the Customs Commissionerates / Customs Houses.
(IX) Work relating to WTO Negotiations on Trade Facilitation; matters relating to Trade Facilitation under various Trade Agreements.
(X) Matters related to recommendations of WCO on trade facilitation.
However, if you have a problem, don't rush to the DGEP , for his function is limited to policy level issues and would not address individual grievances relating to customs Trade Facilitation (like delays in assessment of Bill of Entry, grant of refund, etc).
The Board has to find a new DGEP very soon. Let's hope they will do it after having given the office so much responsibility.
CIRCULAR NO. , Dated : January 9, 2008