Customs authority in city boosts exports

“Functioning of ports at Dabhol, Ratnagiri and import and export from the Container Freight Station at Pune, had been streamlined by the formation of a Regional Advisory Committee and a Public Grievances Committee, in consultation with which new procedures were evolved which led to promotion of export,” he added.

Exports from the Software Technology Park has also gone up from Rs 127 crore last year to Rs 254 crores this year. “Though we cannot take the entire credit for it, we can say that this would not have been possible without procedural changes made by the Customs Commsissionerate,” said Narang.

During the year Rs 179 crores were collected as customs duty by assessing the import values of the Dabhol Power Project. At Ratnagiri Rs 50 crores of duty was collected last year and is expected to go up in a big way with Bharat Shell planning to import LPG. The Pune Commsissionerate has exceeded its revenue target of Rs 350 crores for last year by collecting Rs 390 crores. “This year, all efforts are being made to ensure that we achive our target of Rs 450 crores,” Narang emphasised.

Apart from anti-smuggling activities and assessment work, the Customs Commssionerate has also taken up the responsibility of disseminating information about the drug menace in schools and colleges. A separate Narcotics Cell has affected seizures that led to recovery of 352 kg of ganja and half kg of heroin, with a value of Rs 3.5 crore in the international market.