Media release
Mangaluru/Udupi, Oct 10: The ugraded testing and state-of-the art equipment facility of the Central Revenues Control Laboratory(CRCL) at Mangaluru Customs was shifted to an independent building at the Business Development Park, NMPA, Panambur and inaugurated by Vivek Johri, IRS, chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), on Monday, October 10.
In his presidential address, Johri explained the procedure of clearance of cargo and said that the Customs Department is analysing as to how they can reduce the clearance time.
He then said with modernisation, use of container scanners etc., most of the cargo is being cleared without human contact. Commodity identification based on testing is an integral part of Customs functions which needs the support service of lab facilities, and a well-equipped laboratory is the need of the hour.
Ranjana Jha, principal chief commissioner, Bengaluru customs zone, said she was impressed with the state of the art facilities provided at the Customs Laboratory adding that the improved testing facilities will enhance and strengthen the Department.
Sandeep Prakash, director of CRCL, has been working to upgrade the laboratories across the country, which are receiving different accreditations. In his address, he emphasised the need to be facilitators and utilise the laboratory facilities to the fullest for ease of doing business. He also informed that this is 12 th laboratory of CBIC and it has all the sophisticated testing equipment for testing of coal, vegetable oil etc. and soon cashewnut testing facility would be provided.
Dr Venkata Ramana Akkaraju, chairman NMPA, in his address said that customs has taken many initiatives to facilitate the ease of doing business. He thanked the CBIC chairman for the newly modernised and revamped laboratory and said that he was confident that things will be easier for the importers and exporters.
Commissioner of customs Reena Shetty welcomed the gathering. Invocation was by G K Bhat Administrative Officer. Dr Mithosh Raghavan, Deputy Commissioner, gave a presentation on the working of the Customs Laboratory. The Vote of thanks was delivered by Vishal Pratap Singh, additional Commissioner, Customs. The programme was compered by Shobha Peres Bhatt, asst commissioner.
Imamuddin Ahmad, commissioner, Central GST, Mangaluru was also present.
Central excise, GST division building inaugurated at Udupi
Meanwhile, Vivek Johri also inaugurated the Central Excise and Central GST Division Building in Udupi on Monday.
The new Division building is situated at ‘Vishweshwarayya Nagar, 4th cross, 28th Bannanje Ward, Udupi-576101’. The construction has been done by the CPWD, Mysuru at a cost of around Rs. 5 crores, according to an official press release.
The building with 1210 sq m (13024 sq ft) of plinth area and plot area of 643 sq m.(6921 sq ft.) is having office rooms at ground floor and first floor, with 5 guest rooms, a dining hall and a kitchen at second floor and parking facility at the basement.
The Udupi divisional office will start functioning in the new building soon. The members of trade and industry/ taxpayers will be informed of the new address accordingly after shifting to the new building, the release added.
B Srinivas, superintending engineer, CPWD, Mysuru was also present at the inaugural function along with divisional deputy/assistant commissioners, superintendents, inspectors & staff of Mangaluru GST and invitees of trade.