Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Siliguri Customs Office launches enquiry into allegations of ‘smuggled’ goods through Nathula

GANGTOK, 31 Oct: After 6 years of border trade with the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China and many heartburns over the obsolete list of items of trade which included a season of total boycott by traders a couple of years ago and lots of “rumours and allegations” about smuggled goods an enquiry has now been launched by central agencies over the escalating inflow of unlisted items and goods into the Sikkim and other parts of the region through the Nathula mountain pass. The Siliguri Customs office has launched an enquiry into the inflow of unlisted items of trade through Nathula. This was confirmed by officials at the Siliguri office who while speaking to NOW informed that this was a departmental enquiry necessitated after increasing reports of such goods finding their way into Sikkim as well as parts of north Bengal.  It was also informed that it has been about 2 months since the Customs Office launched the enquiry.
The enquiry was launched after it was rumoured that there had been an unprecedented ascendancy in the import of such items. Part of the reason for this is that items of import are virtually primitive and absolutely not in demand here. The other reason, sources inform, is the lax attitude of the customs officials especially those posted at Sherathang who, it was alleged, have not been serious about checking the incoming goods. In fact there have also been allegations of money changing hands though this has yet to be verified. However traders who frequently cross over did feel that it was not impossible for money to make its mark on the inflow of certain items. At that time there were also reports of agencies at the border mart at Sherathang not seeing eye to eye over the nature of transactions. In fact there were also reports of sugar, an unlisted item, making its way across the border.
An immediate reason for the launch of the enquiry was the seizure of a truckload of goods, especially ready made garments at Kalimpong suspected by officials to have made its way through Nathula. Customs officials at Siliguri when contacted confirmed this stating that enquiry was underway to ascertain from where such goods had come.
With such kinds of reports coming in the Customs Office finally decided to initiate an enquiry into the allegations to ascertain the truth and to know “what exactly is going on” in the words of Customs official in charge of Sikkim, Mr. Munindra Lama. Committee on Property Tax yet to submit report after 5 months; deadline was 2 months
Transfers, post-earthquake rehabilitation delays Property Tax committee report

Even after a stipulated time of two months given to the committee set up by the State government to oversee the implementation of Property tax in the Urban Local Bodies as per a government notification dated 22 March 2011, the committee has not been able to deliver the same even five months past the deadline.  In fact sources inform that the committee has had just one meeting since its constitution via the notification. 
It may be recalled that the State government through a notification issued in March earlier this year had asked the new implementing committee headed by the Additional Secretary, UD&HD as Chairman to submit a report of their findings and recommendations to the UD&HD, Secretary within 2 months of its issuance to be placed before the government. This report is now 7 months pending. 
It may also be mentioned here that according to the notification the terms of reference of the Committee was to study the TA report prepared by ADB on Property Tax and provisions of Sikkim Municipalities Act of 2007; furthermore the Committee was also to examine the present regime of Property Tax followed in other States with special emphasis on Hilly States.
Official sources informed that the delay in submitting the report was because of the technicalities involved in preparing a report which had the potential of turning into a “controversial” nature if not prepared with expert recommendations, deliberations and proper planning.
The committee on Property Tax consists of the Additional Secretary, UD&HD as the Chairperson along with the Chief Municipal Officer (GMC), Additional Chief Town Planner, UD&HD, representative of the Building & Housing Department, representative of the FR&ED, Sr. Accounts Officer I, UD&HD, Superintending Engineer (N/E), UD&HD all as Members and the Joint Secretary II, UD&HD as Member Secretary.
Further, according to the notification, the quorum of the Committee would be 3 members and they are to base their report accordingly and address shortfalls and inconsistencies that may prevail during the process of Property Tax implementation and prepare and submit the report of methodology of imposing the Property Tax to the government.
The Committee is also directed to examine the formation of a State Property Tax Board and submit the report accordingly.
While government officials acknowledge that there has been a delay in submitting of the report they say that more time is required as there have been disruptions due to transfers and also the recent earthquake. With some members of the committee itself having been transferred there is now the issue of nominating new members. There has been no move towards this. On the other hand the priority of UD&HD has now been on the post earthquake rehabilitation, it was informed.
Officials however expressed hope that post Diwali there will be a chance to hold some meetings after which recommendations may be passed on to a Steering Committee headed by the Chief Secretary which will then decide on it.

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