Page 58 - ELT_15th May 2020_VOL 372_Part 4th

A150 EXCISE LAW TIMES [ Vol. 372

sion in export obligation period has been granted, automatic revalidation and
extension will be granted. In other cases, where revalidation or extension has
already been taken, the exporter must apply for further extension or revalidation.
Meanwhile, many shipping companies are refusing to follow the Direc-
tor General of Shipping (DGS) orders to waive the container detention charges.
Their contention is that the DGS has no jurisdiction to issue instructions in con-
tractual matters between the parties to the contract of carriage. They refuse to
release the containers unless the importers pay the detention charges. The im-
porters are left with no option but to pay, so that they can get their activities go-
ing. Many operators of the Container Freight Stations have also refused to waive
demurrage on the same grounds that DGS has no right to tell them to do so. The
DGS should now find a way to enforce its order effectively or withdraw it.
[Source : T.N.C. Rajagopalan in Business Standard, New Delhi, dated
4-5-2020]
Lease rental for SEZs no to be increased
The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has directed that there
shall be no increase in lease rentals for Special Economic Zone units for FY2020-
21, on account of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Payment of lease rent for the first quarter is to be deferred up to July 31,
2020 for all SEZ units and the deferment may not invite any interest thereof, it
said in a circular.
The Development Commissioners of SEZs are requested to advise devel-
opers of State Government and private SEZs to consider similar relief measures
in their zones, it added.
According to data presented in Parliament in July 2019, there are a total
of 232 operational SEZ units across the country, with Tamil Nadu topping with
40 units.
[Based on The Hindu, New Delhi, dated 12-5-2020]

SC unhappy with Government for not filling Tribunal
vacancies
The Supreme Court on 5-5-2020 expressed displeasure over vacancies
not being filled at Tribunals and said that Government keeps creating forums to
take away work from Judiciary but cannot man them. The top Court also re-
ferred to the vacancies in High Courts and said that many a time the SC Collegi-
um and Government are not on same page due to which many recommendations
do not go through.
[Source : Business Standard, New Delhi, dated 6-5-2020]

_______

EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th May 2020  58