Pics: Joshwa D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaulu, Jan 28: The customs commissionerate of Mangaluru celebrated the International Customs Day-2016 at the New Customs House, Panambur here on Wednesday January 27.

Police commissioner of Mangaluru city Chandra Sekhar, who was the chief guest, inaugurated the celebration.

In his inaugural address, Chandra Sekhar said, "We Indians since ancient times are known to be individually brilliant, but historically, we have not performed well as a team. If there is any department that coordinates with other departments in the interest of national security, it is the customs. It is the coordination of the customs department that other departments should be looking at to improve their service. I congratulate the customs team for that."

The commissioner of Mangaluru customs commissionerate, Dr M Subramanyam, IRS in his presidential address said, "Since ancient times Indians were experts in taxation. Much before Adam Smith, Kautilya in his book 'Arthashastra' had narrated the various ways of and the goods for taxation. Even today most of his guidelines have proven to be worthy and even followed in the tax and customs department."

Speaking about the Mangaluru commissionerate he said, "In recent years due to digitalization we have achieved significant growth in taxation. In the last one year in Mangalore International Airport, gold worth 5.5 crore has been seized in various forms. Compared to the previous year, the annual revenue of the customs has risen by 36 percent. With transactions worth more than Rs 11,000 crore through imports and exports, the commissionerate has established a unique name for itself. To address the issues of exporters and importers, a public grievances office has been set up. It is the support of members of the trade, Custom sBrokers' Association/Steamer Agents Association, senior level officers of other departments associated with customs that is responsible for the significant growth and I thank you all for this."

Yakshagana artiste and dramatist Kadri Navneet Shetty who was the guest of honour also spoke on the occasion.

The companies that recorded maximum amount of imports and exports and the officials of the customs were felicitated for their remarkable service. Special public prosecutor Asha Nayak was also honoured on the occasion.

Customs inspector Prashant Tiwari welcomed the gathering while assistant commissioner of customs Udayashankar rendered the vote of thanks.

Narayan Shivalli compered the programme.