Customs try a change of face

June 14: Hold your breath, exporters, importers and sundry businessmen. If you interact in any way with the Central Excise and Customs depar...

June 14: Hold your breath, exporters, importers and sundry businessmen. If you interact in any way with the Central Excise and Customs department, chances are you may not quite recognise the officer you8217;ve been meeting for some time.

Reason? The officers have come out with a citizens8217; charter, promising integrity, courtesy, understanding, transparency, promptness and efficiency in their actions. 8220;Passengers can walk through customs expecting courtesy, fairness and consideration8230; baggage of international passengers will be opened only after explaining the reasons and in their presence8230; we will help in repacking baggage if we have made you unpack them8230;8221; the charter promises.

The 8220;best behaviour8221; charter obviously seeks to eliminate the image of a slothful, sometimes vindictive, often corrupt and high-handed revenue collection machinery, now being prodded to walk in step with the new India liberalised, tax-paying if taxes are reasonable, and demanding a hassle-free, single window clearanceapproach.

So read on, and mark the promises. Because the department also promises independent surveys of 8220;clients8217; perception8221; and promises to publicise the results.

The department promises to acknowledge declarations, intimations, applications, returns and all communication on the spot and in any case within seven days of their receipt.

settle any disputes relating to declarations or assessments within 10 working days of receipt of written or oral explanation.

pay duty drawback within 48 hours of the export in case of electronic declarations and 15 days in case of paper declarations.

return the input duty documents on which MODVAT credit has been availed of within seven days of the submission.

give you 15 days advance intimation before an audit of your records is to be conducted.

all uniformed officers who deal with the public will wear name badges and carry an identity card.

clearance of consignments will be withheld only after explaining the reasons for thesame and you will be given full opportunity to explain before the passing of any final order.

assessees in the small scale sector will be visited only with proper authority from senior officers.

the investigating officer will explain the legal provisions and your rights and obligations and seek confirmatory information by personal contact.

no seized document will be withheld beyond sixty days, except in cases where it is to be relied upon in the departmental proceedings.

final replies to complaints and grievances will be sent within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.

Of course, there8217;s also one little expectation from you by the customs department 8212; be prompt and reasonable in fulfilling your duty and all your legal obligations and be true and honest in furnishing information to the department.