Court wants appraisal counter at airport for declared jewellery, gold

The observation came on a plea seeking creation of an appraisal counter on grounds that it was causing inconvenience to passengers of international flights to get their declared items appraised for an export certificate.

The court noted that appraisal and export certificate counters in other countries were in or near the airport. “Internationalisation of airports in the country has to be not only for looks, but also in terms of convenience and amenities, facilities and following the practices in vogue at airports of other countries,” the court said, adding that the government had specifically stated that the purpose of privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports was to get “world-class development”.

Indians travelling abroad are allowed to carry jewellery, gold or other expensive items, which they plan to bring back, duty free by getting an export certificate after appraisal. At present, there is no such counter at Delhi airport and passengers are directed to Customs House at Jhandewalan, 30 km away, to get the appraisal and certificate.

Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw issued directions to the Centre to set up the appraisal counter after noting that in its absence, passengers were forced to spend a lot of time to get it done.

The court dismissed the argument by additional solicitor-general that the counter at Jhandewalan was sufficient. “The argument fails to take note of manifold increase in international travel by Indians and more so for business/work purposes, for which travel plans are generally firmed up at the last minute. The reasoning given by the respondents also loses sight of situations most often faced, where a person used to wearing a jewellery item reaches the airport without realising the need for having it appraised in advance,” the court observed.