Mumbai: A number of senior government officials led by Member (Customs), CBEC, Shri A.K. Kaushal visited the Bharat Diamond Bourse on May 30 and interacted with members of the industry from the GJEPC and BDB. Former Chief Commissioner of Customs Zone – I, Shri A.K. Kaushal was visiting the bourse for the first time.

Shri Kaushal was accompanied by Shri Ravinder Swaroop, Commissioner (Import), Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Shri A.K. Gupta, Commissioner (Export), Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Shri J.P. Singh, Commissioner (General), Air Cargo Complex, Sahar, Shri D.K. Srinivas, Commissioner (Marine & Preventive), New Custom House, Ballad Pier and Shri Dilip Goyal, Additional Commissioner of Customs (Airport),

Representatives of the GJEPC, BDB and the CHA’s present raised some of the concerns of the trade related to the EDI system, Customs bonds and personal carriage of gems and jewellery items. It was pointed out that currently SBI has Rs 13 crore of bonds pending, whereas for Diamond India Ltd, five consignments of 20 kgs each is pending.

In response, the officials requested the industry representatives and CHAs to jointly offer their sugestions about the best possible manner in which the functioning of the EDI system for imports and exports can be smoothened.

The officials also assured the industry members that cancellation of bonds can be executed within 10 working days after receipt of all the necessary documents from the nominated agencies.

Shri Kaushal also suggested that the Council should come up with a viable solution to the issues that they had raised related to personal carriage of gem & jewellery products through Mumbai airport so that it could be satisfactorily resolved.