Allocation of Staff to Seaports for 24x7 operations - Customs - F. No. 450/25/2009-Cus.IV

Instruction F. No. 450/25/2009-Cus.IV Government of India Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Central Board of Excise Customs New Delhi, dated 5-7-2010 Subject : Allocation of Staff to Seaports for 24x7 operations - Reg. Reference is invited to Board's letter F. No. A.11013/12/2007-Ad.lV, dated 16th August, 2007 regarding strengthening of Customs and Central Excise Department with a view to increasing operational efficiency and allocation of 4647 additional posts. (Copy enclosed) . 2. Vide the above letter, it was also conveyed that Union Cabinet has approved creation of 475 posts in various grades for 24x7 operations of Seaports located across the country Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, Mundra, Okha, Sikka, Mangalore, JNPT, Mumbai, Paradeep, Gopalpur, Ennore and Chennai. This was done in pursuance to the recommendations given by the Inter Ministerial Group on Customs Procedures and Functioning of Container Freight Stations and Ports. 3. Now, the Task Force of the Department of Commerce to reduce transaction cost involved in exports has recommended that customs operations should be made available on 24x7 basis at identified 14 customs locations, especially on weekends. This recommendation has been accepted by the government. 4. Accordingly, it has been decided to introduce 24x7 operations in the customs stations mentioned at Para 2 above on trial basis in the following phases : (a) Phase 1 : Provide services for delivery of export goods (15 days) (b) Phase 2 : Provide delivery for RMS facilitated import goods (15 days) (c) Phase 3 : Provide facility of assessment and examination of import/export goods (15 days) 5. After the total 45 days trial period, the outcome will be reviewed and based upon the success achieved subject to getting additional staff sanction and custodians, CHAs, banks and other related agencies agreeing to provide necessary complementary services, a decision will be taken by the Board to expand the services to the other customs locations. 6. You are, therefore, requested to take necessary steps to ensure that the trial is undertaken in a time-bound manner starting from 15th July, 2010. Further, custodians, CHAs banks and other related agencies may also be impressed upon for their cooperation/participation in the trial, based on requirement. 7. On completion of the trail period, a report on the outcome may be sent to the Board, preferably by 15th September, 2010. 8. Wide Publicity may be given to the trial 24x7 facilities being provided.