Kolkata Customs Committed to Excellence

KOLKATA CUSTOMS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE 2� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE FOREWORD

This is the first Coffee Table Book of Kolkata Customs brought out on the occasion of International Customs Day, 2019.

The Coffee Table Book depicts and tells the history and work done by Kolkata Customs at Port, Airport, Land and Marine Divisions in collection of revenue, anti-smuggling, countering export/ import offences, trade facilitation and passenger clearance. Kolkata Customs plays a vital role in strengthening economic security and national security.

The Coffee Table Book also informs about future plans and direction of Kolkata Customs.

(MANISH CHANDRA) Commissioner of Customs (Port, Airport & Administration) Custom House Kolkata

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �3� PROJECT COORDINATION

27/B, SIDHPURA INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, NEAR SRL DIAGNOSTICS CENTRE, OFF S. V. ROAD, GOREGAON WEST, MUMBAI - 400062 | TEL: 022-28729291

TITLE KOLKATA CUSTOMS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

DESIGNERS VISHWAS MACHIVALE VINAYAK DHURI MARKETING TEAM MK JAIKUMAR 9594987725 [email protected] APURBA CHAKRAVARTHY 9830045650/7980388433 [email protected]

PRINTED AT PRINT HOUSE, MUMBAI

4� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE CONTENTS

06 CHAPTER 1 Organisation

08 CHAPTER 2 Genesis

18 CHAPTER 3 Commissionerate of Customs (Port)

52 CHAPTER 4 Commissionerate of Customs (Airport & Administration)

58 CHAPTER 5 Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive), West Bengal

80 CHAPTER 6 The Future and Next Generation Trade Facilitations

84 CHAPTER 7 Kolkata Customs Club

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �5� 6� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE ORGANISATION

The Kolkata Customs Zone is headed by a Chief Commissioner. There are three Commissionerates, namely, Kolkata (Port), Kolkata (Airport & Administration) & Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive) or CCP, West Bengal, each having their own jurisdiction headed by a Commissioner. The subordinate cadre consists of the Appraising wing which is chiefly entrusted with the assessment and collection of revenue, the Preventive wing, for prevention of smuggling activities and the ministerial staff who help in administration and the upkeep of office affairs. The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) is tasked with countering commercial frauds and smuggling. CCP, West Bengal is in charge of land borders and responsible for Customs border controls. Kolkata Customs comprises of around three thousand officers and personnel spread across its various formations. Kolkata Customs also processes imports and exports by individ- uals and companies through International Post and Courier at Air Cargo and Foreign Post Office in Kolkata.

Custom House, Kolkata

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �7� 8� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Custom House Wharf, Coloured Lithograph by Charles D’ Oyly, Collector of Customs, 1919

GENESIS

GENESIS OF THE OLD CUSTOM HOUSE

In 1696, the old Fort William, situated in Kolkata on the bank of river Hooghly was under the control of the Nawab of Bengal, Ibrahim Khan. He invited Job Charnock, an employee and administrator of the English East India Company to Kolkata from Madras, to lend naval and military support against the rising rebel Shobha Singh, a formidable landlord of Burdwan. The East India Company in return extracted several concessions from Ibrahim Khan, including the right to fortification and took over possession of the old fort and named it Fort William in honour of King William the III of England. Since 1654, East India Company had already been collecting Customs revenue from Madras Presidency. They started collecting Customs revenue in old fort William too.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �9� 10� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE GENESIS

Richard Bacher, an Englishman, was appointed on 3 March, 1758, as the Sea and Land Customs Master in Kolkata to look into the business of the Customs Department. He felt the need for having a Customs office at some convenient place so that all goods brought by water should first enter into the Custom House and after the boats had been properly examined by the Customs Master, goods would be permit- ted to be landed. Accordingly, Holwell’s House adjacent to the old ditch, at Tank Square was temporari- ly used but later found inconvenient. Present day ‘Lal Dighi’ opposite to Writers’ Building was known as the Park or Tank Square.

HOOGHLY RIVER AT LOW TIDE ALONG CUSTOM HOUSE GHAT - CALCUTTA (KOLKATA) 1865

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �11� SAILING SHIPS AND OTHER BOATS DOCKED ALONG RIVER HOOGHLY

In an important meeting held on 5 May 1766, a pro- posal was made for converting the previously named Fort William into a Custom House. A number of ware- houses and other buildings were erected within the fort. An instruction issued by the Customs House in February 1807, reads as “no goods whatever imported at Calcutta from sea, or for exportation from Calcutta by sea, will, in future, allowed to be landed at, or shipped from any other Ghat, but that to the south of the Custom House at Calcutta.” It is under- stood that the Ghat referred to was the ‘Old Fort Ghat’ adjacent to the Fort. Present day ‘Koila Ghat’ Street (believed to be derived from ‘Kellaghat’, ‘Kella’ means fort in Bengali) bears the legacy of the bygone era.

12� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE GENESIS

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �13� Customs House, Hoogly, Calcutta Port (Circa 1942). Oil on canvas by C. Vijay Varma.

14� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE GENESIS

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �15� The foundation stone of the old Custom House Building converted from the fort was laid by Lord Hastings on 12 February 1819. It was situated on the river bank and contiguous to the anchorage of trading vessels to the port of Kolkata. Sir Charles D’Oyly (1781-1845) was the Collector of Customs at that time. He is best remembered today for his panoram- ic paintings of Kolkata. In 1899, the Custom House was renovated and re-established in the same place where it was earlier erected in 1819. It continued there till Customs work was shifted to the present day Custom House in 1942. The laws relating to the levy of Customs duty, valuation, penal provisions and en- forcement were first compiled and enact- ed in 1878. These laws were confined only to Sea Customs and the statute was known as the Sea Customs Act, 1878. It was followed by enactments of other Acts until their repeal & amalgamation in 1962. In the year 1906, the Government of India constituted the Imperial Customs Service (ICS), after considering the views of the Maritime Provincial Governments and the Chambers of Commerce. This was done with the objective of combining in one service, the appointment of Collector of Customs at Calcutta, Madras, Bombay,

Customs Memorial of 19th Century, Still on display in the Chief Commissioner’s Room

16� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE GENESIS

Rangoon, Karachi and Chittagong; 15 Assistant Collectors at these ports and Superintendents of Preventive Service at Calcutta and Bombay. After independence, the ICS was re-designated as Indian Customs Service; followed by the constitution of Indian Central Excise Service in the year 1955. These two services were merged in the year 1959 when the Indian Customs and Central Excise Service was born. The service has since been re-designated as the Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Central Excise) and now Indian Revenue Service (Indirect Tax and Customs) after the introduction of Goods and Services Tax in 2017. Kolkata Customs counters smuggling of contraband, restricted and prohibited goods including arms and ammunition as well as narcotics through Kolkata Port, Airport and Land. Kolkata Customs is supported in its anti-smuggling and anti-commercial fraud operations by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) formation in Kolkata. DRI is the intelligence wing of Indian Customs having all India jurisdiction.

Customs Memorial Of 19Th Century; The Clock That Never Stops - Kept In Chief Commissioner’s Room

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �17� KOLKATA CUSTOMS PORT COMMISSIONERATE

The jurisdiction of Port Commissionerate covers Ports of Kolkata, Haldia, Budge Budge, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the area under the jurisdiction of Kolkata, Howrah and South Suburban Corporations, so much of the Hooghly river as is downstream of the Northern limit of Kolkata Port and all lands as are within 10 kilometres of high water mark at spring tide on either side of the river. In terms of revenue collection, the Kolkata Customs (Port) formation contributes nearly 90% of the revenue collected in the Kolkata Customs Zone.

SITES FOR CLEARANCE OF EXPORT-IMPORT CARGO Netaji Subhas Docks (NSD), Kolkata (Containerized cargo) ,Kidderpore Docks (KPD), Kolkata (Loose and/or bulk cargo), Haldia Dock Complex (HDC), Budge Budge, Port Blair & Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the various Container Freight Stations (CFS) at Kolkata and Haldia. The Kolkata and Haldia Dock Systems make up the only Major Riverine Port in the country. Kolkata Dock System (KDS) comprises three docks – Netaji Subhas Dock (NSD) with 10 berths and Kidderpore Dock (KPD) with 18 berths, along with Budge Budge (BB) Jetties with six berths. Both KPD and NSD have a lock gate each through which the vessels enter and exit.

18� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �19� • The average draft at NSD is about 25 ft. The max- • NSD is equipped with three mobile harbour cranes imum dimension of vessels accepted at NSD is 565 (MHC), and each MHC is capable of handling 20 ft. LOA (length overall) and 80 ft. BOA (beam over- containers per hour. All in all, it has three MHC all i.e. the overall width of the ship measured at berths and two non-MHC berths as of now. It is the widest point of the nominal waterline), where- also bolstered with a towering 125 ft. tall cantile- as maximum dimension of vessels that can call at ver crane that can handle 200 tonne of ODC pro- KPD is 515 ft. LOA x 70 ft BOA. On the other hand, ject cargo. BB Jetties can accommodate vessels with dimension of 620 ft. LOA x 86 ft. BOA. • KDS services quite a vast hinterland comprising the states of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, parts of • While NSD primarily handles containerised cargo, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, KPD handles break bulk. When it comes to Budge Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and some north east- Budge Jetties, they have been dedicated for han- ern states. The Port also caters to landlocked dling liquid bulk. Kolkata being a city-based port, neighbouring countries Nepal and Bhutan. focus is on handling cargo that is not hazardous to the environment such as pulses, food grains, containerised cargo, over dimensional consignment (ODC) cargo, especially project cargo and wood logs at NSD and KPD. Vegetable oils and petroleum products are handled at Budge Budge.

Netaji Subhas Dock Lock Gate

20� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

Boarding of foreign vessel by kolkata Customs Officers

Being a riverine port, KDS is dependent on high tide The construction of Kidderpore Docks for smooth movement of vessels into the Port. Only in its present shape started in March when water level in the river rises due to high tide, 1884. The King George (later renamed can large vessels enter and sail out of the Port. as Netaji Subhas Dock in the year 1973) Hence, correct draft forecast is very critical for a Docks came up much later in the year vessel to navigate the riverine channel to reach 1928 mainly to handle Container cargo. the Port. The low draft restricts bigger vessels The city has two unique bridges con- from reaching KDS, and hence feeder vessels structed to provide for interconnectivity are employed to bring cargo to the Port from the between the docks and ease passenger main vessel. traffic in the area. The Swing Bridge at Kolkata Dock System is situated on the left bank Kidderpore ordinarily is perpendicular of the river Hooghly within the precincts of the city. to the stream and acts a bridge for vehi- Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) maintains two approach cles to pass. However, when a ship ap- channels from sea, one via Eastern channel for vessels proaches, it swings on a fulcrum at the bound for KDS and the other via Western channel / middle and two up & down channels open Eden for vessels bound for HDC. The KoPT provides up for the ship to pass. Another example facilities for Pilotage services for vessels calling at is the Bascule Bridge. For a ship to pass, Kolkata, Haldia & Budge Budge. it opens up skyward through the middle.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �21� Bascule Bridge also known as Nazrul Setu built by Waagen Biro Bridge System AG of Austria became operational on November 15, 1966

PILOTAGE OF VESSELS Kolkata Port has two approaches from the sea, one through Eastern Channel (Eastern Channel Light Vessel position Latitude 21°54.6’ North and Longitude 88°11’30” East) and the other through Western Channel (Western Channel Light Vessel position Latitude 21°05’00.2” North and Longitude 87°50’24.8” East). Currently Eastern Channel is being used for navigation. The Pilotage distance to Kolkata is 223 Kms, comprising 148 kms. of river and 75 kms of sea pilotage, the pilotage distance to Haldia is 121 Kms comprising 46 kms. of river and 75 kms of sea Pilotage.

22� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

All vessels approaching Sandheads in the vicinity of Eastern Channel Light Vessel are required to con- tact Pilot Station situated on Sagar Island identified as “Sandheads Pilot” and “Vessel Traffic Management System (VTMS) Control” on Channel 16 & 68 and should not proceed North of Latitude21°00’ North without being advised to do so. For their journey from Sandheads to Pilot Boarding point at Sagar, all ships are provided remote Pilotage through VTMS guidance. No vessel over 200 GRT (Gross Registered Tonnage) is allowed to move North of Pilotage limit of Kolkata Port which is at Latitude of 21°39’00” North without Swing Bridge - Photograph taken in 1891 by an obscure a Port Pilot. photographer of the Calcutta Docks The Port maintains a Pilot Vessel/Station at Sagar Roads. The River Pilot embarks on inward bound vessels at Middleton Point and proceeds up the river. On arrival at Kolkata (Garden Reach), the River Pilot is relieved by a Harbour Pilot who takes the vessel inside the lock at KPD or NSD or the river mooring as required. From the lock, the vessel is guided to the nominated berth by a Dock Pilot. For the outward passage the process is re- versed. At Haldia, the Pilot bringing the vessel from Middleton point hands over the vessel at the lock en- trance to the Dock Pilot but all vessels bound for oil jetties are taken alongside by the same Pilot.

Present Day picture of Swing Bridge

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �23� Maximum dimension of vessel accept- able at N. S. Dock is 565 ft. (Length Over Being a riverine port with numerous all) LOA and 80 ft. Beam (172mtrs. x sand bars (shoals), advantage is taken 24.3mtrs.) so far on regular basis. of the rise of tide so as to obtain the Maximum dimension of vessel calling at maximum draft for shipping. Variation Kidderpore Docks is 515 ft and 70 ft. in draft occurs between spring and neap Beam (157 mtrs x 21.3 mtrs.). Maximum tides and forecast of draft for inward dimension of vessels calling at Budge and outward ships are published by the Budge is LOA 620 ft and 86 ft Beam (189 Harbour Master (River) about four/six mts x 26.2 mts). Present dimension of weeks in advance. Because of the sharp vessels accepted at Haldia Dock are re- bends in the river, the length of the ves- stricted to LOA 240 mtrs Beam 32.26 sel that can be accommodated at KDS is mtrs. For Oil jetties the largest vessels restricted to172 metres at Kolkata and that are accepted at present are LOA 250 189 metres at Budge Budge. mtrs, Beam 44 mtrs.

24� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

VESSEL PASSING THROUGH LOCK GATE

Tidal bores in the river have been a constraint to shipping for the port. In spring tide, the tidal waves make an onrush with height which makes it difficult for a ship to remain in the river. The ships are then given shelter in the docks. There are 21 berths at Khidirpur Dock, 11 berths at Netaji Subhash Dock and 14 berths inside impounded dock at Haldia. Besides those berths there are 3 Oil Jetties at Haldia 4 Oil Jetties at Budge Budge and one Floating Jetty at Haldia.

Following are the Drafts at different places of Kolkata Port in general. Kolkata Dock System 7.0 mtrs. Diamond Harbour 7.4 mtrs. Haldia Dock Complex 7.7 mtrs. Budge Budge 7.5 mtrs. Sagar 9 mtrs. Sand head 50 mtrs.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �25� There are various kinds of Vessels in operation in maritime trade. Their classifications are as follows:

CONTAINER CARRIERS

Capacity Beam Point of Name Length Draft Representative pictures (TEU) (width) Discharge

Ultra Large 366 m Too large to 14,501 and 49 m and 15.2 m and Container and accommodate higher wider deeper Vessel (ULCV) longer at KDS

10,000– New Panamax 14,500 Too large to 366 m 49 m 15.2 m accommodate at KDS 5,101– Post-Panamax 10,000

Too large to 3,001– Panamax 294.13 m 32.31 m 12.04 m accommodate 5,100 at KDS

1,001– Haldia Dock Feeder 176.00m 23.70m 7.70m 2,000 and N.S.Dock

Up to Small feeder 134.60m 21.30m 7.00m Khidirpur.Dock 1,000

26� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

BULK CARRIERS

Capacity Beam Point of Name (Dead Length Draft Representative pictures (width) Discharge weight)

Upto Mini Bulk Haldia Dock & 32,000 130 m Upto 20 m 7 m Carrier NS Dock ton

32,000 Handy size 179.9 m 28.4 m 10.2 m Sand Head ton

52,000 Supermax 199 m 32.2 m 12.2 m Sand Head ton

62,000 Ultramax 200 m 32.24 m 13 m Sand Head ton

75,000 Panamax 225 m 32.26 m 14.1 m Sand Head ton

98,000 Post-panamax 240 m 38.0 m 14.6 m Sand Head ton

1,72,000 Capesize 289 m 45 m 17.95 m Sand Head ton

ULOC 4,00,000 362 m 65 m 23 m Sand Head (Valemax) ton

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �27� SURINAME MEMORIAL

28� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

SURINAME MEMORIAL Suriname Memorial, on the banks of Hooghly River adjacent to the lock gate of Netaji Subhash Dock in Garden Reach, a joint ini- tiative of India and Suriname Governments is built in honour of those Indian indentured workers who migrated to Suriname, the small country located on the northeast Atlantic coast of South America, from 1873 to 1916. The small and simple memorial rep- resents the statue of Babba and Mai or Mai Baap (Father & Mother). It depicts a plainly dressed couple, carrying a potli, who had left the Indian coasts to work as labourers in sugarcane plantations in Suriname. The statue is a replica of the Baba and Mai monument in Paramaribo, Suriname’s capital, which symbolizes the first Indian man and woman to set foot on Suriname. The statue at Paramaribo, marks the spot where the first Indian laborers entered Suriname on June 5th, 1873, in the ship Lalla Rookh. Today June 5 is cele- brated as the Indian Arrival Day in Suriname. Lalla Rookh had carried 399 workers on board, consisting of 279 men, 70 women, 32 boys and 18 girls under the age of 10. During the period of 1873 – 1916 a total of 64 voyages made it to Suriname from Kolkata carrying a total of 34,304 contract workers from India.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �29� Riverine Route from Sandheads to Kolkata Docks

RIVER MARKS AND BUOYS Being a riverine port with numerous A total of 500 (of which 140 are lighted) sand bars (shoals), has tremendous dis- River Marks and Buoys are maintained advantages. Tidal bores in the river have by the KoPT. These are extremely useful been a constraint to shipping for the in facilitating night navigation, pilotage port. Because of the sharp bends in the and dredging. These lights are operated river, the length of the vessel that can either by grid electricity, by battery or be accommodated at KDS is restricted by dissolved Marine Acetylene Gas. to172 metres at Kolkata and 189 metres There is also 1 boat buoy, 30 lighted at Budge Budge. More importantly, the buoys and 72 unlit buoys marking the constant siltation in the river causes the navigational channel from Sandheads draft to be lower. Hence vessels with to Kolkata. It is one of the longest nav- higher tonnage having more draft find igational channels in the world. it difficult to berth at the Kolkata Docks.

30� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

HALDIA DOCK COMPLEX It has been built at the meeting place of the Haldia and Hooghly rivers. The port consists of 12 berths, 3 oil jetties in the river, 3 barge jetties in the river for handling oil carried by barges and Haldia anchorage for lash vessels .The docks are impounded with locks from river. It grew in importance with the dwindling draft of Kolkata Docks. It started operations in 1967 & the Collector of Customs designated it as a proper place for unloading and loading of goods with effect from 1st April, 1978. The pilotage distance to Haldia is 121 Kms comprising 46 kms. of river and 75 kms of sea pilotage. The port’s main imports are petroleum, chemicals, and parts. Exports include coal, iron ore, and steel. It has a draft of 8 metres (26ft) on an average over the year. The Annual Cargo Tonnage is 40.496 million tonnes (2017-18) and annual container volume is 1,56,000 TEUs (2017-18).

Customs bonded tank at Haldia Dock

Discharge of coal at Haldia

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �31� Haldia Fly ash jetty

Kolkata Port (Netaji Subhash Dock) has handled 7,96,210 TEUs (Twenty feet Equivalent Unit)in 2017-18, clocking an over 3.18% growth vis-à-vis last year. Together with Haldia Dock Complex Kolkata Port Trust aims to achieve 1 Million TEUs throughput in 2018-19. Total number of cargo vessel called at N.S.Dock was 1355 and at Haldia Dock Complex was 2315 exhibiting total growth of 6.97% in 2017-18.

Floating Crane at Haldia

Haldia Floating Jetty

Major commodities handled by the Ports are Petroleum Oil and Lubricants, Vegetable Oil, Liquid Chemicals, Iron Ore, Thermal / Coking Coal, Break Bulk/ Dry Bulk Cargo and other goods including trading items.

32� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

HALDIA In the financial year 2017-18 total 3670 cargo vessels operated at Kolkata Port. Export Goods valued at OIL JETTY Rs.45192.60 Crores was exported in the financial year 2017-18 and Rs. 13183.84 Crores Customs duty was collected in this period on importation of goods valued at Rs.99886.00Crores.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �33� Oil Jetty at Budge Budge

BUDGE BUDGE Budge Budge is situated in the south-western sub- Fly ash jetty at Budge Budge urbs of Kolkata, further downstream on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. It comes under the overall jurisdiction of Kolkata Port. It handles only liquid cargo & there are total six jetties all together. Temporary flexible pipelines are laid from the berth to the hired /contracted tank terminal installations within a range of 2 kms for which the discharge rate is at 130-150 MT per Hour. The Budge Budge Custom House overlooks the river Hoogly and was built in the year 1900. The items imported at Budge Budge are Crude Palm oil, RBD (Refined Bleached Deodorized) Palm oil, Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), Methyl Tetra-Butyl Ether (MTBE). There are hundreds of Tanks bonded with Customs where chemicals and edible oil imported through vessels are stored before clearance by Customs. Fuel meant for Nepal and Bhutan is also stored in Non-Bonded tanks for transshipment to the destination country through oil tankers.

34� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

The Budge Budge Jetties have walked into history as Swami Vivekananda had disembarked here in 1897 when he re- turned from his Chicago visit.

Komagata Maru Memorial

Not very far away is the site where the events Maru arrived in Calcutta on September 27. Upon entry into the associated with the ship Komagata Maru & Sikh revolt harbour, the ship was stopped by a British gunboat, and the unfolded. The Komagata Maru incident involved the passengers were placed under guard. When the ship docked at Budge Japanese steamship Komagata Maru which sailed from Budge, the police went to arrest Baba Gurdit Singh and the twenty British Hong Kong via Shanghai, China and Yokohama, other men that they viewed as leaders. He resisted arrest, a friend Japan to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, in 1914, of his assaulted a policeman and a general riot ensued. Shots were carrying 376 Passengers from Punjab, British India. Of fired and twenty six persons were killed. This incident became them, 24 were admitted to Canada, but the other 352 known as the Budge Budge riot. This was one of several incidents passengers were not allowed to disembark in Canada, in the early 20th century in which exclusion laws in Canada and the and the ship was forced to return to India. Komagata United States were used to exclude immigrants of Asian origin.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �35� SUPERVISION OF OVERSIDE DISCHARGE

TRANS-LOADING POINTS Even with the development of downstream ports, the problem of draft has not been resolved satisfactori- ly. The river requires continuous dredging to get rid of siltation and maintain the required drafts. But de- spite regular dredging, the siltation hasn’t improved much. So to counter this problem, the Port has begun trans-loading operations at Sand heads. In maritime lingo, Transloading is the process of transferring a shipment from one mode of transportation to anoth- Transloading er. Diamond Harbour, Sagar anchorage and another at Garden further down in the sea at Sandheads, serve as trans- Reach Jetty loading points where transloading is done from big mother vessels to daughter vessels round the year for bulk cargo like Coal, Pulses, Lime Stones, Logs etc. Transloading of containers is also done at Diamond Harbour anchorage during October-March when draft is less and container vessel unable to enter Docks with full loads of containers.

36� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

In the year 2017-18 total 119 vessels discharged import cargo of 22,05,925 Metric Tons at the above transloading points under direct supervision of Customs Preventive Officers and the cargo was carried by 389 barges under Customs Preventive escort to Haldia Dock Complex (from 42 Vessels) Khidirpur Dock (from 77 vessels) for Customs clearances.

Discharge at Diamond Harbour Anchorage

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �37� 38� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �39� RFID SEAL CHECKING

40� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

Port Blair Mini Custom House ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS Two jetties in the region are under the administrative jurisdiction of Commissioner of Customs (Port), Kolkata namely Haddo Jetty at Port Blair and Nancowry Jetty at Nancowry Island in the central part of the Nicobar Islands chain. Both have been declared as Customs Station long back.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �41� CRUISE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS Two jetties in the region are under the administrative jurisdiction of Commissioner of Customs (Port), VESSEL AT Kolkata namely Haddo Jetty at Port Blair and Nancowry Jetty at Nancowry Island in the central part of the Nicobar Islands chain. Both have been PORT BLAIR declared as Customs Station long back. Recently, Port Meadows and Campbell Bay have been declared as Customs Station, taking the total to four. An area inside the sea approximately 22 nautical miles north of Port Blair has been identified for offshore transhipment of liquid and bulk cargo. ‘Port Meadow’ has been notified as Customs Area in 2016

42� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

Transhipment at Port Meadow

by the Ministry of Shipping and Customs Port in 2018 by Kolkata Customs Port Commissionerate. In the days Nicobar Jetty to come the operationalization of Port Meadow will not only accrue financial benefits to the A&N Islands but will also create new job opportunities for the Islanders besides enhancing trade with South East Asian Countries. Already the deep and protected waters have attract- ed Oldendorff Carriers, a Shipping Line, to the Andaman Islands. Geared Panamax Trina Oldendorff loaded 73,086 MT of coking coal from Gladstone, Australia and had set sail to the Andaman Islands. Off Port Meadows, she successfully trans-shipped 25,000 MT of coal into the daughter vessel M/V Spar Rigel for transport to the Indian port of Haldia. This kind of transloading is expected to become regular in the future.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �43� PORT BLAIR- HADDO JETTY

Commodities imported at Port Blair are LPG and river sand. In the year 2017-18 goods valued at Rs.49.33 crores involving Customs revenue of Rs.1.30 crores was cleard by Customs. Number of foreign vessel arrived at Port Blair in this year was 17.

44� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PORT COMMISSIONERATE

FOREIGN POST OFFICE The movement of letters, packets, parcels, etc. via foreign mail is handled by Postal and Customs authorities through designated Foreign Post Offices. The Postal authorities acting as Custodians collect all the articles of Post which are imported or exported by post at a central designated Post Office and present the same to the Customs authorities posted at these stations. The export arti- Total 8,00,000 numbers of cles are allowed to be loaded for export and imported articles are Parcel, Letter Mail and Express delivered to the consignee after the same have been examined mail Service (EMS) was han- and cleared by the Customs authorities and Customs duty for dues, dled by Customs during the if any, payable thereon have been paid. year 2017-18. The Postal Appraising Department in Kolkata is located at The Foreign Post Office at 12, Kiran Shankar Roy Road, Kolkata – 700001 having jurisdiction over the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Assam, and North East region.

Foreign Post Office

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �45� Jaigaon LCS

TRANSIT AND TRANSHIPMENT • It will be interesting to note that 44 or approximately one-fifth of the world’s countries are landlocked, thus having no access to the oceans or seas. Some landlocked countries are Paraguay, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Bhutan & Nepal. The obvious handicap of being land-locked is not being able to carry out trade by sea route, which accounts for 90% of world’s trade. But theoretically, the right of access to the sea derives from the doctrine “Every nation is free to travel to every other nation and to trade with it”. The Convention on Transit Trade of Land- locked States is a multilateral treaty that addresses international rules allowing for land-locked countries to transport goods to and from seaports. The convention imposes obligations on both land-locked states and on coastal states that ratify the treaty. The convention was concluded at the United Nations Conference on Transit Trade of Land-locked Countries, which had been established by the United Nations General Assembly. It was concluded and signed on 8 July 1965 where signatories included Nepal. The treaty came into force on 9 June 1967.

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Nepal Transit through Raxual

NEPAL TRANSIT FROM THE GATEWAY PORT OF KOLKATA Trade carried on by India and Nepal with each other is regulated by different Indo-Nepal Trade and Transit Treaties. Up to the year 1950, trade between the two countries was regulated by the Treaty of Friendship of 1923 between Great Britain and Nepal. The first formal trade treaty between British India and Nepal was signed in 1792. This Treaty was followed by treaty of Friendship of 1923. Nepal’s transit problem in her trade with other countries apart from India arises out of its landlocked geographical location. The closest sea port from Nepal is the Kolkata Port which is about 890 kilometers from its capital Kathmandu. Transit facilities are provided by India to Nepal through Kolkata which is connected to Barauni and Katihar by broad-gauge rail and from there to Raxaul, Jayanagar and Jogbani in Indo-Nepal border. After independence, India, with a view to promote economic development of Nepal started extending a helping hand by making available not only domestic resources but also foreign trade facilities through its territory and Ports. The Government of India and The Government of Nepal concluded a Treaty of Trade and Commerce on July 31, 1950 with a view to facilitate and promote

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �47� Fixing of ECTS Seal in Nepal Transit Rail Rakes

trade and commerce between two countries. The Treaty contained provisions regarding Nepal’s trade with third countries and those relating to bilateral between India and Nepal. The treaty allows free movement of people and goods between the two nations and a close relationship and collaboration on matters of defense and foreign policy. It was on May 31, 1950 that independent India and Nepal concluded a Treaty of Trade and Commerce with a view to facilitate and promote trade and commerce between the two countries. In this Treaty, the Government of India, for the first time recognized Nepal’s “full and unrestricted right of commercial transit of all goods and manufactures through the territory and ports of India.” This groundbreaking agreement was followed up through The Treaty of Trade and Transit, 1960 and many interim treaties the latest being in 2009. Transit operations of Customs through Kolkata & Haldia are overseen by the Kolkata Customs Port Commssionerate. Presently, Transit can happen between Kolkata/Haldia through 15 predesignat- ed routes by road including two where both rail and road connectivity is available. The Customs Clearance procedure hinges on minimal interference and op- timal facilitation. For import transit containers, the seals affixed on containers are checked and if found untampered, are allowed to move to Nepal under the cover of Customs Transit Declaration (CTD) and /or Transhipment Permits after observing Customs formalities. The opposite holds good for exports in

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Transit through India. The countries have brought in further modifications like putting in Electronic Cargo Tracking System (ECTS) Seals for import containers and opening up Vishakhapatnam Port for alternative route of Nepal Transit cargo and other Transit facilitation measures through mutual dialogue at regular intervals. Commodities like fertilizer, iron and steel, vegetable oil, pharmaceuticals, rice, peas, electronics items, chemicals are generally imported to Nepal. Export goods from Nepal include handicrafts, woolen carpet, garments, leather goods, Sesame seed and Niger seed etc. However, import cargo constitutes a predominant share of total Nepal traffic (around 98%). Out of total 82259 TEUs (Twenty feet Equivalent Unit of containers) imported for Nepal Transit, 51681 TEUs were moved by road and 30578 TEUs were moved by rail in the year 2017-18. Total 2403 MT of bulk cargo was handled for Nepal Transit in the same period.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �49� NEPAL-BOUND CARGOES FROM KOLKATA/ BHUTAN TRANSIT FROM GATEWAY PORT OF HALDIA PORT UNDER ELECTRIC CARGO KOLKATA TRACKING SERVICE (ECTS). Similarly, the princely Kingdom of Bhutan is also The new transshipment procedure is introduced as a landlocked. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is pilot project in the rail route from Kolkata/Haldia to bounded by India in South and South-West and Birgunj and the Biratnagar in Nepal. The implementation Tibetan autonomous region of China in the North and of new technology brings with it features like tracking North-West respectively. It was during British rule functionality, high-security electronic locks and a faster that an Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty of 1774 was signed rate of transshipment procedure that helps to control which made it possible for the Bhutanese traders to possible misuse of supplies along the route. This is also visit Bengal to sell and buy goods. expected to significantly reduce the time taken for trans- With the departure of British, the base for trade shipment procedure. The importers and traders are also relations between India and Bhutan became the optimistic that the new mechanism will rid them off Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation signed in demurrage charges in the ports. August, 1949. After 23 years, the Indo-Bhutan Trade The high-security electronic lock, a feature of ECTS, and Transit Agreement 1972 established a free trade will also enhance the ease of doing business for trad- regime between these two countries. The agreement ers and importers in the country by reducing the cost also provided for duty free transit of Bhutanese ex- by decreasing the number of intermediaries when ports to third countries. bringing cargoes to Nepal. At present a free trade regime exists between The implementation of the new technology is also Bhutan and India. The framework of trade relations expected to increase security for the goods in Nepal- is provided by the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty bound cargoes due to the added feature of real-time of 2007. The Agreement on Trade, Commerce and tracking of the containers. Alongside, the improved Transit, first signed in 1972, is renewed every 10 logistics tracking will also help in decongesting the years. It was last renewed in 2016 and is in effect hub in Kolkata and also increase the efficiency of the from 29the July 2017. It has 12 Articles and a Protocol Indian Railways and CONCOR which acts as carrier. to the agreement which lays down the Import & Implementation of ECTS procedure will also help Export Procedure to be followed in cases of bilater- the Government of Nepal by reducing transit moni- al trade and transit through India during the course toring operation cost, and help in enhancing enforce- of Bhutan’s export/import through India involving ment of cargo handling regulations. Third Countries. The recent implementation of improved transship- The agreement specifies 21 entry/exit points for ment technology will further enhance the trade re- trade to take place out of which almost all transit lationships between India and Nepal and will also trade is conducted through Jaigaon road route in bolster the commitment of the Indian government to North Bengal.The agreement details the import-ex- improve transit facilities for Nepali trade. port procedure of Transit.

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The name ‘Bhutan’ appears to derive from the Sanskrit ‘Bhotant’ meaning ‘the end of Tibet’ or from ‘Bhu-uttan’ meaning ‘high land’. The Bhutanese themselves refer to their country as Druk Yul or the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Bhutanese currency is Ngultrum (Nu.) and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee. Basically, Bhutan uses the concept of Currency Pegging as it is not that competitive enough independently and pegging has its own advantages. Currency Pegging makes it possible for Ngultrum to move along with INR.

The import/export goods of Bhutan from/to countries other than India move TRANSHIPMENT OF EXPORT CARGO under the cover of a Letter of Guarantee FROM BANGLADESH TO THIRD issued by the Royal Government of COUNTRIES Bhutan. For Containerised import cargo, For better cargo evacuation and to im- the seals affixed on containers are prove logistics efficiency of the region, checked and if found untampered/un- Kolkata Customs extended the facility broken are allowed to be taken to Bhutan of Transshipment of Export Cargo from after observing minimal Customs for- Bangladesh to Third Countries through malities. Land Customs Stations (Petrapole, Gede Bhutan transit cargo includes food and Ranaghat), Port (Netaji Subhas Dock) items, home appliances, kitchen items, and Airport, in containers or closed bod- chemicals, rapeseed, canola seed, vehi- ied trucks. Transloading of export cargo cles and spare parts plastic granules etc. from Bangladeshi vehicle to Indian ve- as import and ferro silica as export. hicle is done under Customs supervision In the year 2017-18 import goods in and allowed to carry the cargo to Netaji 2856 containers and goods carried by Subhash Dock and Netaji Subhash 2492 trucks have been transshipped to Chandra Bose International Air Cargo Bhutan. Export goods in 698 trucks were Complex under Electronic Cargo Tracking cleared in the same period. Systems (ECTS) seal.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �51� NETAJI SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

52� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AIRPORT COMMISSIONERATE

The Commissionerate of Kolkata Customs, Airport & Administration formed in July 1997 consequent to the re-organization of the Commissionerate of Customs & Central Excise, has in its jurisdiction the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA) in Kolkata, is located approximately 17 km from the city centre. Spread over an area of 2,460 acres, Kolkata airport is the largest hub for air traffic in the eastern part of the country and one of the two international airports operating in Bengal, the other one being in Bagdogra. The airport is a major centre for flights to north-east India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China and Southeast Asia. The new integrated terminal, commissioned in the year 2012 is a architectural wonder catering to both domestic and international terminals under a common roof.

The International Airport was originally named as Dum Dum Airport and was commissioned in 1924 with the arrival of DAKOTA-3 as the first Aircraft. From 1960 to 1969 this Airport continued to be the number one airport in India in terms of Traffic and Passengers. It was renamed as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI Airport) in March 1995 and now it is the fifth busiest Airport in the country after Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore handling about 20 million passengers annually. But about 85% of its passengers are domestic travelers. The Kolkata Air Cargo Complex was commissioned as the first cargo terminal in the country in the year 1975. Customs has a 24 x 7 pres- ence at the Airport.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �53� International Arrival at Netaji Subhas Chand Bose International Air Port

PASSENGER TERMINAL In the passenger terminal Customs work round the clock on a 4-shift basis. As per international norms, the Arrival Exit constitutes of the Red Channel & Green Channel. Officers in uniform man the Red Channel where passengers carrying dutiable goods outside the free allowance limit as envisaged in the Baggage Rules 2016 and relevant Notifications declare their goods and pay duty. Passengers carrying goods within the permissible limit walk out through Green Channel. Plainclothes officials are forming part of the Air Intelligence Unit cover the entire airport area to look out for mis-declared/undeclared imports and exports & prohibited goods, smuggling activities and drug trafficking. Caution is exercised not only to book cases of infringement of Customs Laws but other al- lied Acts as well. Detection of such cases entails seizure of the goods and in some cases arrest of the passenger. Human surveillance and electronic equipments like X-Ray Scanners & Metal Detectors and other minimally invasive devises are put into use for interdiction purposes. The objective remains on passenger facilitation and faster clearance. Our efforts are supplemented by Airlines, Central Industrial Security Force, Immigration, Airport Authority, Quarantine, Medical teams and a host of other agencies. Total 23,504 International Passenger flights and 2.5 million international passengers were handled in the year 2017-18.

54� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AIRPORT COMMISSINERATE

AIR CARGO TERMINAL The Cargo Terminal at NSCBI Airport was commissioned on October 5, 1975. It is located half a km north of the International Terminal building with well-connected road infrastructure & caters to the entire eastern and north-eastern region for transshipment cargo. In international freight transactions it connects other regions in the world – South Asia, South-East Asia, Western countries, Middle-Eastern countries and Central Asia. Airport Authority of India (AAI) is appointed as a custodian of import and export cargo. There are four parking bays exclusively for freighter fleet, which can accommodate up to B-747 type of aircraft. In November 2008, the first Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) in West Bengal was opened at the airport. Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) is in position with 1,940 bins. An Elevated Transfer Vehicle (ETV) with 70 Nos of ULD Stacker Slots is also in place in the Export Wing of the Cargo Terminal. In September 2012, AAI upgraded the airport’s cargo-handling capacity, enabling it to cater for the demand until 2020.

Dog squad in action

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �55� As Integrated Cargo Terminal, all airlines and other agencies connected with the clearance and pre-shipment formalities are in-housed in the air cargo complex. Most of the regulatory and facilitation work are established under one roof. The cargo terminal has five wings for processing of export, import and unaccompanied baggage (import), transshipment and domestic cargo besides disposal unit for disposal of unclaimed/un- cleared cargo. Customs Special Intelligence Branch looks out for non-compliance of laws and outright smuggling activities of truant exporters/importers.

DOG SQUAD: A Customs Dog Squad is operating at NSCBI Airport since 2013. Dogs are doing routine rounds inside the airport and help in detection of contraband including narcotics drugs.

IN THE YEAR 2017-18 TOTAL 17701 CARGO FLIGHTS WERE OPERATED IN THIS AIRPORT. EXPORT GOODS VALUED AT RS.9942.98 CRORES WAS EXPORTED IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2017-18 AND RS.2165 CRORES CUSTOMS DUTY WAS COLLECTED IN THIS PERIOD ON IMPORTATION OF GOODS VALUED AT RS.20,533 CRORES.

56� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE AIRPORT COMMISSINERATE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �57� 58� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

COMMISSIONERATE OF CUSTOMS (PREVENTIVE), WEST BENGAL (CCP), HEADQUARTERED AT KOLKATA

Jurisdiction of this Commissionerate comprises of West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, some parts of Bihar and Sikkim. It is responsible for border control at various Land Customs Stations and Preventive Units at the International borders with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China. The various entry and exit points are at twenty two (22) Land Customs Stations. There are forty six (46) Preventive Units. It is also having jurisdiction of 260 Nautical Miles of riverine route through which export-import takes place with Bangladesh.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �59� Petrapole Integrated Check Post

60� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �61� Arms used in anti-smuggling operation

The maximum numbers of Land Customs Stations (LCS) in the country are in the jurisdiction of Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive) (CCP), West Bengal bordering Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Petrapole is the largest Land Customs Station in the country and its counterpart in Bangaldesh is Benapole. Benapole is under the Commissionerate of Customs, Jashore and it is 2nd largest port in Bangladesh after Seaport Chittagong. A major part of Bangladesh’s import from India takes place through this LCS. The officers of CCP also facilitate regular passenger movement between Kolkata and Dhaka and Kolkata - Agartala via Dhaka by bus and also Kolkata-Dhaka and Kolkata-Khulna by train. The clearance is effected at Kolkata Railway Station and Karunamoyee Bus Stand, Kolkata. Most of the exports and imports are carried out by trucks and at certain lo- cations cargo rail movement also takes place (Ranaghata, Gede, Petrapole, Radhikapur etc.) About eighty thousand (80000) trucks carrying import goods entered into India through Land Customs Stations and about eleven lakh trucks (1136751) with export load cargo crossed the land borders mostly to Bangladesh in the year 2017-18 in the jurisdiction of CCP.

62� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

Average daily passenger movement at Petrapole LCS is about six thousand (6000). The passenger movement also takes place through other LCS’s but in smaller numbers. The Commissionerate comprises of a combined strength of GST Officers who man the various Land Customs Stations and oversee the trade and transit operations through land borders and a Customs Wing which comprises of Superintendence of Rummaging and Discipline (SRD) i.e., Vessel Rummaging Divisions, Dock intelligence Units (DIU) and Superintendence of Rummaging Intelligence (SRI) i.e., Town Intelligence Unit manned by officers of Kolkata Customs. There are other units which serve as back office for the above three striking units.

Petrapole Integrated Check Post cargo terminal

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �63� Rummaging of Vessel by Customs Officers

64� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

In the financial year 2017-18 import consignments valued at Rs. 5343 crores There is a dedicated Marine Department and export consignment valued at Rs. working under this Preventive 30,392 crores were cleared through the Commissionerate. A fleet of fourteen LCSs. Major import consignments in- (14) vessels are engaged in river and cludes Readymade Garments, Jute yarn, coastal area patrolling. Cotton rags, Synthetic fabrics, and Talc powder. On the other hand major Export items includes Cotton fabric, Spices, Chemicals, fresh Fruits, Onion, Rice, Dry Fly Ash and Petroleum products.

Fleet of speed boats

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �65� UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF CCP THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LAND CUSTOMS STATIONS AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN BANGLADESH, BHUTAN, NEPAL AND CHINA

LCSs UNDER NAME OF CORRE- COMMISSIONERATE SPONDING LCS IN SL. BORDERING OF CUSTOMS BANGLADESH, No. COUNTRY (PREVENTIVE), West BHUTAN, NEPAL Bengal AND CHINA 1 PETRAPOLE ICP BENAPOLE 2 GHOJADANGA LCS SARKHIRA 3 HEMNAGAR LCS SHAIKBERIA 4 TT SHED LCS KHULNA 5 MAHADIPUR LCS SHIBGANJ 6 HILI LCS HILI Jaigon LCS 7 SINGHABAD LCS ROHANPUR 8 RAIGUNJ RS LCS HILI BANGLADESH 9 RADHIKAPUR LCS BIROL 10 GEDE LCS DAMURHUDA LCS 11 RANAGHAT RS LCS DORSONA CHANGRABANDHA 12 BURIMARI LCS 13 FULBARI LCS TETULIA 14 HALDIBARI LCS CHILAHATI 15 JAIGAON LCS PHUENTSHOLING 16 CHAMURCHI LCS SAMTSE 17 BIRPARA LCS GOMTU BHUTAN 18 NAGRAKATA LCS JITA 19 KULKULI LCS LHAMOIZINGKHA 20 LOKSAN LCS BHIMTAR 21 PANITANKI LCS KAKARVITA NEPAL SHERATHANGA LCS/ 22 RINQINGANG CHINA NATHULA PASS

66� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

Nathula/Sherathanga LCS

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CUSTOMS PREVENTIVE FORMATIONS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF CCP, WEST BENGAL.

Sr. No. Preventive Units Sr. No. Preventive Units 1 Asansol PU, 26 Kaliachowk PU, 2 Barasat PU, 27 Mahadipur PU, 3 Barasat DPU, 28 Malda PU, 4 Bashirhat PU, 29 Bagda PU, 5 Burdwan PU, 30 Petrapole PU, 6 Diamond Harbour PU, 31 Banpur PU, 7 Ghojadanga PU, 32 Majdia PU, 8 Hasnabad PU, 33 Ranaghat PU, 9 Hingalganj PU, 34 Changrabandha PU, 10 Namkhana PU, 35 Jalpaiguri PU, 11 Tentulia PU, 36 Fulbari PU, 12 Bahrampur PU, 37 Bidhannagar PU, 13 Chapra MPP, 38 Panitanki PU, 14 Dhulian PU, 39 Darjeeling PU, 15 Jalangi PU, 40 Gangtok PU, 16 Jangipur PU, 41 Dinhata DPU, 17 Karimpur PU, 42 Dinhata PU, 18 Katlamari PU, 43 Setai PU, 19 Krishnagar PU, 44 Jaigaon PU, 20 Lalgola D PU, 45 Alipurduar PU, 21 Nalhati P.P, 46 Raigunj PU, 22 Aurangabad P.P, 47 Gopalpukur PU, 23 Balurghat PU, 48 Dalkhola PU, 24 Buniadpur PU, 49 Islampur PU, 25 Hili PU, 50 Daspara PU.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �67� Retreat ceremony at Petrapole ICP

INDIA-BANGLADESH MARITIME TRADE UNDER CCP, WEST BENGAL: In 1972, India and Bangladesh signed the Protocol on Main items of trade on Protocol Route from Kolkata Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) and the pro- include fly-ash, rice and steel from India to tocol was last renewed on 6th June 2015. The proto- Bangladesh. In the financial year 2017-18 total 1.97 col is an agreement between the two governments million ton cargo was transported by 2240 barges for the transportation of goods and keeping their on this route from Kolkata. The export goods are respective waterways navigable, while providing in- loaded in the barges under Customs supervision at frastructure facilities. In May 2017, the two govern- Customs Notified jetties at Haldia, Budge Budge and ments also signed Memorandum of Understanding Khidirpur and export clearance is given at Land on river cruises on the PIWTT routes. Customs Station, Hemnagar. These jetties are outside The India- Bangladesh Protocol Routes include parts the Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex. of river Ganga, Hooghly, Brahmaputra and Barak and CCP, West Bengal has jurisdiction over this trade the Sundarbans delta. through the Protocol Route.

68� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE PREVENTIVE COMMISSIONERATE

Official Map of PIWTT

ROUTES

KOLKATA Haldia Mongla Chandpur Sirajganj Dhubri Shilghat

SHILGHAT Dhubri Sirajganj Chandpur Mongla Haldia Kolkata

KOLKATA Haldia Chandpur Ashuganj Karimganj

KARIMGANJ Ashuganj Chandpur Haldia Kolkata

KARIMGANJ Ashuganj Chandpur Sirajganj Dhubri Shilghat

SHILGHAT Dhubri Sirajganj Chandpur Ashuganj Karimganj

RAJSHAHI Godagiri Dhulian

DHULIAN Godagiri Rajshahi

Key routes of PIWTT

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �69� SOME INTERESTING SEIZURES

Gold concealed at feet detected by Kolkata Customs

Currency concealed in shoe sole detected by Foreign currency concealed inside the Kolkata Customs handle of trolly bag

70� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Beretta Pistol seized at Foreign Post Office by Kolkata Customs

Hashis weighing 70.25kg. was recovered from the concealed cavity inside the logs placed at the bottom of 1935-model La Salle motor car on 11 December 1985 at Netaji Subhas Dock. This the first seizure under the NDPS Act 1985

Ivory seized By Kolkata Customs USD Concealed inside Pointed Gourd-recovered and seized by Customs at NSCBI Airport

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �71� Mahisasur Mardini This is a seizure case of antique by Kolkata Customs Preventive and Intelligence Branch. The hard stone idol “Mahishashur Mardini” an ‘Antiquti’ date-able to 10th Century A.D. was recovered from bank of river Padma at a spot about 35 KM from Behrampore on 10th December 2007. The Idol was supposed to be smuggled out of the country on the first available opportunity

72� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �73� Kapalamandalam- an antique seized by Kolkata Customs

Antique seized by Kolkata Customs Antique seized by Kolkata Customs

74� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Antique seized by Kolkata Customs

Antique seized by Kolkata Customs

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �75� ON 23.9.18 TWO PIECES OF TOKAY GECKO WAS SEIZED BY KOLKATA CUSTOMS PREVENTIVE WING IN COOPERATION WITH FOREST DEPARTMENT 10,043 numbers of exotic varieties of the turtles were seized by Kolkata Customs FROM THE CAPTIVITY OF A from two passengers, residents of Chennai, who were coming from China to Singapore, PRIVATE PERSON IN and landed at the Kolkata Airport on 19th KOLKATA. July 2013.

TOKAY GECKO Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) is a nocturnal lizard found in Southeast Asia. While there is some demand for them as pets, the real demand is for their use as traditional Asian medicines—everything from an aphrodisiac and energy drink to treatments for diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS. The animals are captured, gutted, dried on sticks in kilns, and exported, mainly to China but also to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and elsewhere. The habitat of the Tokay gecko ranges from India, Nepal and Bangladesh to Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. Now, to meet international demand, gecko trappers from India, Nepal and Bangladesh have joined the trafficking chain. According to Indian wildlife experts, the trappers are active in the Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, among others. Following pressure from wildlife rights activists last year, the Tokay Gecko was added to the species protected under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. However, that hasn’t deterred the poachers, to the concern of wildlife protection agencies.

76� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE THE SEAHORSES PACKED IN FOUR CARTONS WERE SEIZED BY THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT. THESE ARE CATEGORISED AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES UNDER SCHEDULE 1 OF INDIAN WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972.

SEAHORSE (HIPPOCAMPUS SP.) There are more than 40 species of seahorses. Eleven seahorse species are considered vulnerable or endangered and all are protected by the CITES. But that hasn’t stopped people from selling some of them as souvenirs and for use in traditional medicine. In China, they’ve been coveted as a source of potency and vi- rility for 600 years. They’re ground up into a powder and added to rice wine or soup. An estimated 24 million seahorses are plucked from the wild and traded each year. On Nov 1, 2018 in a major crackdown on organised smuggling from the Indo-China border, Central agencies recovered around 56.22 kg of dried sea horses from a Chinese vehicle at Sherathang trade mart near Nathu La border.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �77� Martial Art training programme for Customs Officers

78� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE Arms training of Customs Officers

ASSETS

The assets with the department include:

i. X-ray Machines for passengers trav- elling by air to and from Kolkata.

ii. Speed Boats for intercepting smugglers on high seas.

iii. Hand held scanners and door frame metal detectors: To cope with grow- ing number of international passengers, Customs authorities have been using these equipments on selective basis, primarily at the airports, for passenger clearance.

iv. Weapons like rifles, pistols are used by Customs officers to defend them- Yoga tranning of selves against smugglers and drug Customs Officers traffickers.

v. Dog Squad: Customs officers are as- sisted by well-trained sniffer dogs are able to detect narcotic drugs and other contraband.

Container Scanners are expected to be installed in 2019

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �79� 80� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE THE FUTURE

KOLKATA CUSTOMS EXPECTS TO ENHANCE ITS CAPA- transport good through the narrow Siliguri corridor, BILITIES AND OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE WITH THE also known as Chicken’s Neck in West Bengal, sand- IMPLEMENTATION OF SOME KEY PROJECTS. wiched between Nepal and Bangladesh. KMMTTP will shorten the current time taken to transport goods KALADAN MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT TRANSPORT from Kolkata to Mizoram by three-four days, and the PROJECT distance by more than 950 km. The distance between Haldia Port in Kolka and Lawngtlai in Mizoram Kaladan Multi-Modal Transport Transit Project through Chicken’s neck corridor is 1,880 KM that will (KMMTTP) is a part of ‘Look East’ policy and now come down to 930 KM. The project will benefit Haldia under ‘Act East’ programme. It entails building of 90- Port giving it a clear position of importance in this km National Highway 502A in the Indo-Myanmar sub regional trade. border; constructing a 140-km highway from there to Paletwa town in Myanmar; developing a river port at Paletwa on the Kaladan river, and connecting it via a 160-km waterway to Sittwe; and modernization as well as upgradation of a deepwater sea port at Sittwe to facilitate a sea route to Kolkata’s Haldia port, roughly 540 km away. The project was jointly initiated by India and Myanmar to create a multi-modal platform for cargo shipments from the eastern ports to Myanmar and to the North-eastern parts of the country through Myanmar. It is expected to open up sea routes and promote economic development in the land locked North-Eastern states, and also add value to the eco- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project nomic, commercial and strategic ties between India and Myanmar. This project will reduce the need to

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �81� KULPI PORT Kulpi, located in Diamond Harbour sub- division of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, is situated around 60 KM South of Kolkata on Bay of Bengal. Kulpi will primarily be a Feeder Riverine Port for containerized and general cargo, aiming to secure vessel on direct Inter- Asia calls. The terminal will have 8.5 m. Present day Tajpur coastline. draft with broad tidal window providing a capacity of 1.35 million TEUs. TAJPUR PORT Tajpur Port is a proposed deep sea port in Tajpur, East Midnapore district of West Bengal. The port will be first and only sea port of West Bengal. The port has been proposed to be built on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and will have 15m draft to the harbor.

82� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE THE FUTURE

CUSTOMS NEXT GENERATION FACILITATION With the aspiration to enter the top 50 ranking in The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Index, the Customs Department has initiated further reforms under the name of ‘Turant Customs’ for speedy clearance of goods at air and sea ports. The next generation reforms spearheaded by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) are a comprehensive package. A critical component of EoDB index A CRITICAL COMPONENT rankings 2019 is the ‘Trading Across Borders’ category in which India is OF EODB INDEX RANKINGS ranked 80, as compared with 146 in 2019 IS THE ‘TRADING 2018. This was possible due to reforms like Single Window Interface for ACROSS BORDERS’ Facilitating Trade (SWIFT), e-Sanchit (e-Storage and uploading of Customs CATEGORY IN WHICH declarations), Direct Port Delivery (DPD) INDIA IS RANKED 80, AS and Direct Port Entry (DPE). This along with Authorised Economic Operator COMPARED WITH 146 IN (AEO) programme, RFID e-seal pro- 2018. gramme for export helped in reducing the time and cost of clearance of goods in various Customs ports. Kolkata Customs has geared up accordingly and operationlised all the said trade facilitation measures. The target is to reach import cargo clearance times of less than three days from the present day range of 3 to 8 days as well as reduce export cargo clearance times to less than two days from the present day average of four days. Kolkata Customs also regularly publishes Time Release Study (TRS) which along with various trade facilities offered can be viewed in the website-kolkatacustoms.gov.in.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �83� Customs Club

84� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE CLUB

KOLKATA CUSTOMS CLUB -A SKETCH

Amidst all the workplace noise, the incessant activities and pressure of a demanding work schedule, a Customs Officer seeks a brief interlude in the tran- quility of the Customs Club. The present day Customs Club holds its pride of place at the heart of Maidan, soaking in the welcoming calm and silence of nature. Only one of its genre thorughout the Customs frater- nity all over India, it is conveniently located near the Fort William, just opposite the Clubhouse of the Eden Gardens and alongside Mohan Bagan Gounds, the National Club. It boasts of a tent premise, a bar, a private lawn and a gymnasium. Many officers have run for their physical tests on these grounds. The lawn is also used for official and social gathering. The club tent has been renovated and rededicated to the service on 20th May, 2012 by the erstwhile Finance Minister and President of India Sri Pranab Kumar Mukhopadhyay. The Chief Commissioner of Customs is the Chief Patron of the Club and other senior officers are hon- orary portfolio holders. It runs on the subscription on the members who are officers of the Customs Service.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �85� The Club, since its inception, contributed hugely to- represented Bengal in Ranji Trophy Championship. wards the development of sports and the office com- However, it was Hockey where our sporting plemented its efforts through sports recruitment. In achievements have now become part of folklore. football, the Customs Club was promoted to the first In 1928, Shri Shaukat Ali became the first player division in 1907. It was Runner-up in 1908, 1909 and from the Customs Department to play in the Olympic 1939 in the prestigious IFA Shield, which Mohun Bagan Games at Amsterdam. Shri Masud Mihas, an officer won in 1911 and became the first Indian Club to win of the Customs department, represented the country the tournament. The Calcutta Football League was won in the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in the year 1932. in 1939. Amongst the star players, Sri M.A.Rahim & From 1909 to 1939, in a space of 30 years, the P.B.A Saleh represented the Indian squad in 1936 and Customs Club won the First Division Hockey League 1952 Olympics. Some of the great players of later years 15 times and also as recently as 1996 & 2003. The Club were Sri Chandan Banerjee, Dinu Das, Sambhu Das won the prestigious Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament Chowdhury, Chandan Gupta, Mihir Kar, P.S.Das, twelve times, twice for three consecutive years, 1908 P.K.Mitra, D.K.Kayal & Amartya Ghosh. Presently the to 1910 and 1930 to 1932. The Club was also runners-up club plays in the Super Division of Calcutta League. for 10 times. The Calcutta Customs has also won the In the year 1975-76, the Club became the 2nd All India Revenue Sports Hockey Meet twenty times. Division Cricket League Champion and since then However, the Customs Club is not only engaged in plays in the first division of CAB League. Some of the Sports. There is also a dedicated Customs Recreation prominent players were Tapan Bhattacharyya, Buddha Club, at the Custom House, which conducts cultural Mitra, Sujan Mukherjee, Mintu Das, Jitendar Singh, and sports activities. Outside this, the Club also en- Nilambar Saha & Prasenjit Ganguly, all of whom have gages itself in meaningful social work.

Customs Hockey Team at Maidan

86� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE CLUB

Gurbux Singh, a former Preventive Officer of Kolkata Customs, was part of the Indian Hockey Team during the period 1961 to 1965. In 1964, he participat- ed in Tokyo Olympic and won a Gold Medal. In 1967, he was awarded the Arjuna Award.

Leslie Claudius

PERSONALITIES-OUR ACHIEVERS Gurbux Singh Kolkata Customs, the sentinel of the eastern economic frontiers of the country and a catalyst of national development, is also home to eminent sports personalities, who have earned laurels Olympic Medal for the country. given to Gurbux Singh Leslie Walter Claudius, former Assistant Commissioner of Customs, has represented Indian Hockey Team in 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games, which won gold medals, and was captain of Indian Hockey Team in 1960 Olympic Games in which India won a silver medal. For his achievements in hockey he has been awarded the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri. He is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having won the maximum number of Olympic medals in hockey.

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �87� Excellences achieved by Kolkata Customs

88� KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND SOURCES

l A.R.V. Demta, Deputy Commissioner of Customs l Abhyudoy Guha, Superintendent of Customs (Preventive) l Subrata Debnath, Superintendent of Customs (Preventive) l Abhijit Bhattacharya, Superintendent of Customs (Preventive) l Kalyan Chowdhuri, Examiner

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Kolkata Port Trust, National Library, Asiatic Society, British Library, Victoria Memorial

KOLKATA CUSTOMS u COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE �89�

CUSTOM HOUSE, KOLKATA 15/1. STRAND ROAD, KOLKATA - 700001.