Customs detect frauds of Rs 760 cr in 05-06

NEW DELHI: The Customs and Excise Deparment seized goods worth Rs 575 crore and detected commercial frauds involving tax evasion of Rs 760 crore during 2005-06, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said here.

"Customs Department seized goods worth Rs 575 crore and detected commercial frauds involving tax evasion of Rs 760 crore during 2005-06," he said at a function to mark International Customs Day.

"With the decline in customs duty rates, the role of department has shifted from revenue collections to checking of counterfeiting and piracy besides money laundering and narco-terrorism," he said.

The Customs seized goods worth Rs 600 crore in 2003-04 and worth Rs 859 crore next year. The department also detected customs frauds involving duty evasion of Rs 1,100 crore in 2003-04 and Rs 1,080 crore in 2004-05, he said.

Appreciating the contribution of the department, he hoped the department would meet the revenue targets this year.

Chidambaram also said the Central Board of Customs and Excise has undertaken a major project for consolidation of its IT resources that include setting up a National Data Warehouse and Wide Area Network connecting 500 offices in 245 cities.

"Two new applications in customs, Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS) and Automated Clearance of Courier Consignments are also being developed," he said.

Chidambaram later honoured 30 officers with Presidential Appreciation Certificates for distinguished service.

Among others, he honoured B Ravichandran, Additional Director General Vigilance in Chennai, Naginder Pal Singh and Brij Mohan of Narcotics Control Bureau in Gwalior for cases involving duty evasion and apprehending smugglers.

Madan Gopal Attri, Chief Enforcement Officer, Director of Enforcement in New Delhi, who investigated cases worth over Rs 600 crore resulting in successful conviction, was also honoured.