Anti-smuggling efforts to get fresh boost in Trichy

The office of the chief commissioner of customs (preventive) was inaugurated in Trichy by union minister of state for finance SS Palanimanickam here on Friday.

Palanimanickam said the new office was set up to closely monitor smuggling activities in the entire east coast, which was prone to influences from neighbouring countries. The jurisdiction of the customs commissionerate, Trichy, is from northern Chennai and extends up to the Kerala border in the south west near Colachel on the Arabian sea, covering a coastline of about 950 km. It also covers the international airport at Trichy, a major port at Tuticorin and four minor ports in Nagappattinam, Cuddalore, Karaikkal and Pondicherry.

An office of the chief commissioner of customs (preventive) has been functioning in Chennai to prevent smuggling operations across Tamil Nadu. In the wake of a long-standing proposal to open a similar office to monitor smuggling activities in Trichy, Tuticorin and the rest of Tamil Nadu, the new office was created. After this, the Chennai office will assume jurisdiction over northern Chennai.

On the infrastructure of the customs department, the minister said it was "inadequate and needed to be strengthened by proper supervision"

Palanimanickam appreciated the commissionerate of customs, Trichy, for exceeding the target of revenue collection of Rs 600 crore for the year 2011-12. The division collected Rs 741.44 crore.

Later, he told reporters that airliners would not come to Trichy to operate international flights if there was no viability. Usually, the government allotted up to Rs 700 crore for infrastructure development of the central and customs department. However, allocations were yet to be made, he said.

M S Badhan and Shanthi Sundaram, members and special secretaries of the Central Board of Excise and Customs, attended the function. Customs commissioners from Chennai and Coimbatore also took part.