TFP Bureau, Bhopal; February 17, 2024: The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Central Excise, and Customs, Bhopal Zone, organized a significant All Chief Commissioners’ Conference on Customs matters in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, spanning February 15th to 16th, 2024. Chaired by Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the conference aimed to enhance discussions around Customs operations and the evolving needs of trade processes, infrastructure, and technology, aligning with India’s vision for 2047.
Distinguished attendees included Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs); Smt Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member (IT & Taxpayer Services); Pr. DG, DRI, Shri Mohan Kumar Singh; Pr. Chief/Chief Commissioners of Customs Zones, DGs of Directorates of CBIC, and representatives from various departments like Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), Central Drugs Control Organisation (CDSCO), Wildlife Control Crime Bureau (WCCB), GST Network (GSTN), and Plant Quarantine, among others.
The conference served as a forum for deep-diving into Customs operations, exploring avenues for business process simplification, automation, and infrastructural enhancements to meet the demands of an evolving trade landscape. Indian Customs, which played a pivotal role in collecting approximately Rs. 2.13 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, alongside seizing contraband goods worth over Rs. 6,000 crore, is instrumental in border control functions.
Keynote addresses underscored the imperative of process standardization and a transformative approach in Customs activities, emphasizing the mantra of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform’ to drive efficiency.
The first day’s discussions revolved around ‘Enhancing Customs Efficiency,’ delving into performance enhancement, customs clearance processes, infrastructure requirements, and human resources-related issues. With Customs overseeing over 320 ports, including international airports, seaports, and inland container depots, the focus was on leveraging risk-based clearance processes to expedite import consignments, thus reducing dwell time and costs for stakeholders.
The second day pivoted towards ‘Ease of Compliance,’ with sessions spotlighting technology integration, Customs’ engagement with other government departments, and process simplification for trade facilitation. Discussions encompassed the transformative potential of AI and other technologies in Customs automation, alongside initiatives for process standardization and logistics enhancements.
In his closing remarks, CBIC Chairman commended the Bhopal Zone for orchestrating a fruitful conference, acknowledging the extensive deliberations on technical matters, technology adoption, and infrastructure upgrades. He emphasized the need for innovative approaches and leveraging young talent to drive solutions.
The conference’s success was attributed to the collaborative efforts of all participants, marking a significant milestone in shaping the future of Customs operations and trade facilitation in India.a