CBIC Chairman Claims DPD (Direct Port Delivery) upto 46% in April 2018

[Chairman CBIC Weekly Newsletter - DO.No.20/CH(EC)/2018 dated 18 May 2018]

The order for promotion of officers to the grade of Pr Chief Commissioner/Pr DG in the Apex grade on in situ basis has been issued. My heartiest congratulations to all the officers covered under this order.

The ZTis/RTis under NACIN are conducting regular training programmes focusing on various topics relevant to the core functioning of the departmental officers. Keeping up with the changing times, the nature and content of the training modules have also undergone substantial change. A lot of effort is put in to bring forth those training schedules and to invite experts to conduct such trainings. I would like all the Chief Commissioners and DGs to pay personal attention to ensure that officers are regularly sent for these trainings. I would also like to request the DG NACIN and ADGs of all ZTis/RTis to regularly upload the training schedules on our departmental website for the benefit of all, so that the officers are nominated in time and there is greater participation in such training programmes.

I am sure by now, the concerned officers seeking transfer as per the new transfer policy and guidelines have submitted their online representation. May remind the Chief Commissioners/Director Generals to ensure that all such requests are forwarded to DGHRD by 22nd May, 2018 without fail. Kindly keep in mind that the representations not received through proper channel will not be considered.

I am happy to share that as a further step towards trade facilitation, the Chennai Customs Zone have taken several measures to ensure that more number of importers use the Direct Port Delivery (DPD) facility. Initially the DPD facility was extended to AEOs, now the same have been extended to automobile manufacturers and 430 importers who have been selected based on scientifically chosen parameters like past compliance, percentage of RMS facilitated Bills of Entry and volume of containers. A holistic approach was taken by the zone, wherein pre-consultation with top management and stakeholders were held to explain the benefits of this facility and simultaneously outreach programmes were held for the lower management and cutting edge staff. Various innovative measures have been adopted by the zone to simplify procedures and address issues which arose during the implementation of DPD. Due to these initiatives, I am informed that the DPD percentage has increased from around 19% in November 2017 to 41% for the month of March 2018 and 46% at the end of April 2018. Also with regard to dwell time of DPD Bills of Entry, in January 2018 this has reduced to 72.82 hours against a target of 72 hours fixed by the NTF action plan. These statistics are extremely encouraging. I would like to congratulate all the officers of the Chennai Customs Zone for these efforts. This is the crux of the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan. Do keep up the good work. I am sure all other Customs formations are also working towards these goals especially in reduction of dwell time, increase in AEOs and DPDs/DPEs. If you have any appreciable figures and statistics to highlight kindly bring it to my notice.

On the issue of reduction of Government Litigation, a letter dated 151h May, 2018 from the Judicial Cell has been issued and is available on our website. Kindly go through this letter and give your suggestions/comments accordingly latest by 21st May, 2018.

You are aware that Directorate General of Systems has issued an advisory dated 161h May,

2018 informing that Rebate of State Levies (RoSL) scrolls can now be generated for exports upto

31st March, 2018. In terms of Board's request sent yesterday by e-mail to all Chief Commissioners, I expect that Customs - field formations will complete this exercise by 191h May, 2018 so as to give suitable relief to textile exporters. A report on the action taken in this regard may be sent to the Board by 21st May, 2018 positively.

The e-way bill system is functioning as envisaged and since the implementation of the same from 1st April, 2018, more than four and half crore e-way bills have been generated which includes more than one crore and thirty lakh e-way bills for intra-State movement of goods. Assam joined the list of States that have rolled out the e-way bill system for intra-State movement of goods on 161h May, 2018. Rajasthan would be doing the same on 201h May, 2018 thereby taking the number of States I Union Territories that would have rolled out thee-way bill for intra-State movement of goods to twenty. Further, as you all know intra-State movement of goods would be implemented throughout the country by 3rd June, 2018. Hence, I would reiterate that the Chief Commissioners of the remaining zones should co-ordinate with the State authority and get the requisite notification issued as early as possible. Also, steps may be taken to publicise the date of its roll out along with exemptions provided.

Last week I was in Suratto inaugurate the residential complex, Kendriya Rajaswa Awas. This complex consists of 82 type IV, 4 type V and 3 type VI flats in an area spread over 8290 square meters in the most prime locality of Surat. It also has a guest house with 5 rooms. With this, the level of satisfaction in housing will be highly improved.

I am happy to inform that in order to automate the process of departmental quarter allotment in Vadodara Central Revenue Colony for officers of CBIC stationed at Vadodara, a new 'quarter allotment portal' has been launched by Vadodara-1 CGST. My congratulations to all the officers and staff of Vadodara-1 for this initiative. I would like other formations which have departmental quarters to develop a similar automated process for quarter allotment. This is yet another initiative towards digitization which can be easily adopted

In addition to this I would like all the Chief Commissioners/DGs to examine several processes and procedures within the administration of the office that can be digitized. The aim is to have a paperless, digitized working environment.

Press release on extension of date for filing return in FORM GSTR-38 for the month of April 2018 till 22nd May 2018 has been issued. You my like to bring this to the notice of all concerned.