Customs and Excise Offices to be Opened on 29-30-31 as a Special Case to Provide Services in Holiday Week 25 to 31 March 2013

[Ref: F.No. 296/42/2013-CX.9 dated 15^th March 2013]

Subject: Opening of offices during the last week of the March, 2013.

As you are aware, the bulk of the revenue is received at the end of the month. However, during the last week of this month, there are a number of holidays. Incidentally, this week also happens to be last week of the Financial Year 2012-2013. While, 27^th and 29^th March are Gazetted Holidays, 26^th March is a Restricted Holiday on account of Holika Dahan, followed by weekend on 30^th and 31^st March being Saturday and Sunday respectively.

2. The Department has proposed to the Department of Financial Services to issue instructions to have the banks open for longer hours on 26^th, 28^th and 30^th March 2013 so that the collections of revenue and the efforts of the two departments are reflected appropriately. It has also been proposed to have the banks opened for at least half day on the above holidays and on 31^st March (Sunday).

3. I am, therefore, directed to request you to keep your offices, as a special measure, opened on 29^th, 30^th & 31^st March and also issue trade notices for the information of the trade.