GOVERNANCE THROUGH COMPLAINTS...

After liberalization, several changes and simplifications in all the taxes were not only announced by the GoI, but also implemented for the free movement of trade, trying to increase the trust levels between the tax-payers and the tax-collectors.

Recently a survey was carried out by the Wellingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai, on behalf of NACEN, Mumbai and the same was released by the Hon. Chairman, CBEC, Shri Najib Shah at Mumbai. Normally complaints are registered in Service Tax (the time taken for the Registration process) and in Customs (the time taken for clearing Customs by the passengers while coming from abroad at Airport) The report categorically say that around 3000 passengers arrive on a daily basis at Mumbai CSI airport and 99.6% of the passengers walk out of the Green Channel. Only the remaining 0.4% of the passengers are either declaring dutiable goods and paying some duty either on their own or when intercepted by the custom officers. Majority of the passengers express their ignorance of the Baggage Rules, which is hardly believable especially in this age of internet and smart phones. Because of the greater level of awareness, instead of honestly declaring what they carry, they are prompt enough to complain about the etiquettes, attitude, manners of the Custom officers, who is trying to do his duty diligently. In the era of RTI, CPGRAM and non-supportive attitudes by the seniors, the officers posted thereon have chosen a middle path and allow most of the passengers to walk through the green channel without any major checks.

Earlier the smuggling used to take place either through landings along the coastal belt of Maharashtra or through the ports and there was hardly any smuggling of gold through the Airport, because of the stringent check by Customs, inspite of the lack of sophisticated equipments like baggage scanner or the body scanner etc.

Since the last 2 to 3 years, the flow of Gold from the middle east has increased manyfold as the margin between the Indian prices and that of the middle east has increased from a few thousand rupees to three lakhs for a kilo of Gold which is smuggled into India.

Whatever seizures are taking place, represents only the tip of the iceberg. Perception has changed – officers should deal with the passengers with respect without causing any inconvenience as far as bonafide passengers are concerned. Equally, it should be ensured that pax should be law-bound and submit their true declaration of the details of their baggage, without having to intimidate the officers either through threats, dropping names etc. The Airport is not meant to be a place for facilitation or for salutations...

In our country, we prefer our children to go abroad, especially USA or European countries, for higher studies or for employment. There the rules are very clear and is applied without any discriminations, irrespective of their positions or nationality. They do not even spare the premier of any country and if any complaints are received, they defend their actions stating that it is as per the rules and do not take cognizance of such complaints. The false complainants are also dealt severely, which is not followed in our country. Officers posted at the Airport barely dare to do their duty to prevent evasion and check smuggling activity etc. because of the “complaint phobia” that is currently the most favourite stick being wielded by the Administration against our officers.

If our officers are allowed to do their duty and are protected from false complaints, threat of suspension, mis-behaviour by the pax, we are sure that the actual smuggling of gold will come down and the image of our country and the reputation of our officers will become at par with other European countries (not asian countries). No one will dare to induce our officers, who will be duty bound, even as the systems/governments change and the office and the officers are not taken as granted. The airport should not be run on the basis of complaints received from the passengers but should be run on the basis of laws passed by the Parliament.

The maximum time of international passengers, after landing at any Indian airport, is the time spent clearing immigration formalities and not at Customs… How is it that the passengers are tolerant of the more time taken at Immigration, but not the time spent at Customs or is it that the Department in charge of Immigration do not take cognisance of frivolous complaints received…

For a more hilarious look at attitudinal issues of Indians, please click this link : http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31821&articlexml=Terminally-ill-behaviour-27072016021022

The Commissioner of Customs (Airport), Mumbai, is under orders of transfer and in his place new Commissioner is likely to assume charge in the 1^st week of August-2016. CESA, Mumbai hopes that under her command the Customs officers will be motivated and regain their courage and strength and will prove that they are the best and tighten the noose on syndicates and lobbies working in Mumbai International Airport.

Lets hope for the best…

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