Page 54 - ELT_15th June 2020_VOL 372_Part 6th

Importers move SC on violation of Government norms
pertaining to port charges
The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) has moved the Su-
preme Court for implementation of Government orders, directing shipping lines
and Container Freight Stations (CFS) to waive off detention charges, ground rent
and demurrage during the lockdown period.
Between March and April, 2020, the Ministry of Shipping and the
Finance Ministry issued several Orders and Circulars directing the shipping
lines, CFSs and ICDs to not levy penal charges on importers during the period of
the lockdown, to ease the problem being faced by importers in moving goods
from the ports during lockdown. The MRAI has claimed that despite the Gov-
ernment notification on waiver of penal charges, CFS, the shipping lines and the
ICDs have either been partially or fully levying penalty on importers for delay in
taking delivery of the goods. So far the importers have already paid about
` 15000 crore to the shipping lines and CFS in penalties for the lockdown period.
This, according to MRAI President Sanjay Mehta, has pushed the recy-
cling industry into a precarious financial condition. “Huge financial losses are
being caused to the importers community on a daily basis. About 1,000 importers
are suffering cumulative losses to the tune of almost ` 150 crore per day. In many
cases, the amount penalty exceeds the value of the goods imported,” said Mehta.
In its petition before the SC the MRAI has also sought an extension of
waiver of penal charges for the entire lockdown period. The writ petition said the
members of MRAI and other importers should be “permitted to take delivery of
their goods without having to pay any penal charges during the entirety of the
lockdown period”.
The Apex Court is likely to hear the case on June 4, said sources.
Apart from MRAI several other importers have individually moved var-
ious High Courts in the country citing violation of Government waiver rules
pertaining to the lockdown period by the shipping lines and CFS.
[Source : The Indian Express, New Delhi, dated 3-6-2020]
Centre extends validity of scrips under export incentives
schemes
The Government has extended the validity of scrips or certificates, pro-
vided under export incentive schemes, which are expiring between March 1 and

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EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th June 2020  54