Simplification fueled buoyancy in revenue collection: Manickam

Bangalore, May 24 (UNI) Revenue collection of Customs department registered a 30 per cent growth in 2006-07, thanks to the emphasis laid on simplification of procedures, including activating more efficient delivery systems and striking balance between trade facilitation and enforcement of law, Union Minister of State for Finance S S Palanimanickam said today.

Delivering his inaugural address at the 18th Biennial Convention of Federation of Freight Forwarders' Association in India, here he said that vigorous economic growth during last decade propelled indirect tax collections to Rs 240,000 crore.

He hailed the strenuous efforts by the Customs Department to introduce simplified customs procedures for the convenience of trade and industry. Automation of customs procedures had made appraisal of goods predictable, faster and hassle free. Constant and systematic efforts were on to review and simplify procedures as faster clearance of cargo and simplified procedures reduced transaction costs of import and export and considerably helped to improve the climate for investment, he said.

Mr Palanimanickam said the Indian Customs Electronic Data Interface System (ICES) was put in operation at 35 customs locations across the country covering all major ports, Air Cargo Complex, Inland Container Depots and a couple of land customs stations. The department in recent years had taken a number of steps to improve and upgrade the systems and capabilities so as to contribute proactively to the growth and efficiency of country's international trade operations. The customs e-commerce portal (ICEGAT) had been made operational at 35 EDI locations enabling importers and exporters to file their declarations over internet.

About four million declarations had been filed through portal in 2006-07, he added.

He said the extension of automation to SEZs, implementation of RMS at 9 more locations, extension of EDI to 35 more stations and e-payment at all customs locations were also on cards. Indian Customs was committed to provide a trust based, simple and transparent service to the people of the country and urged all the stake holders to make the best use of it.

UNI