The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has demanded early disposal of the consignments, which are detained long ago. In a communication to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the chamber noted that the idea for abolition of the separate Adjudication Collectorate was to provide an independent, efficient forum for the redressal of grievances of the importers in the shortest possible time.
But since adjudication was now being handled by the Administrative /Executive Collectorate of Customs, importers were facing difficulties in getting their consignments cleared in "a shortest possible time," contrary to was claimed by the FBR.
The chamber further noted that there was considerable delay in adjudication of cases, especially those consignments, which were detained or held up for clearance.
The department first prepared a contravention report on the basis of which a show-cause notice was issued and after several hearings, the orders were reserved, the chamber said.
By the time the order was passed, the importers/exporters had to incur heavy storage and detention charges, which ultimately, irrespective of the fact that the case was decided in the favour of the importers or exporters, had to be borne by them, the chamber added.
The chamber further suggested that the officers at the adjudication level be given authority to decide the cases on merit and without any fear of revenue losses to the department or for the sake of their promotions, hence they should keep in mind that they were not acting as administrative officers but as adjudicating officers.
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