Page 65 - ELT_15th June 2020_VOL 372_Part 6th

2020 ] DEPARTMENTAL CLARIFICATIONS T31

of imported articles across Customs stations and suggest measures to bring
about uniformity and enhanced quality of assessments. The NACs would be put
in place as and when Faceless Assessment is rolled out in phases across the
country.
5. The Principal Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners concerned
shall set up dedicated cells called Turant Suvidha Kendras, in every Customs
station manned by Custom officers to cater to varied functions and roles which
are clarified in Instruction No. 9/2020, dated 5-6-2020 [2020 (372) E.L.T. (T34)].
The Turant Suvidha Kendra is for facilitation of the trade in completing various
formalities relating to the Customs procedures in the new regime of Faceless
Assessment. The details of functions, roles, location and timing of the Turant
Suvidha Kendras shall be intimated by the local Customs administration to all
stakeholders.
5.1 Turant Suvidha Kendra would be a dedicated cell in every Customs
port of import and will be manned by Custom officers to cater to functions and
roles such as :
I. Accept Bond or Bank Guarantee;
II. Carry out any other verifications that may be referred by Faceless
Assessment Groups;
III. Defacing of documents/permits licences, wherever required;
IV. Debit of documents/permits/licences, wherever required; and
V. Other functions determined by Commissioner to facilitate trade.
6. Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai and Chief
Commissioner of Customs, Bengaluru are requested to issue Public Notices and
guide the trade suitably to ensure the smooth rollout of Phase 1 of Faceless
Assessment. In this regard reference may also be made to the detailed
instructions issued vide Board’s Instruction No. 9/2020-Customs, dated 5-6-2020.
7. Any difficulties, in this regard, may please be brought to notice of
Board.
[M.F. (D.R.) Circular No. 28/2020-Cus., dated 5-6-2020]

Drawback — Special drive for disposal of applications for
fixation of Brand Rate of Duty Drawback
Subject : Special drive for disposal of applications for fixation of Brand Rate of
Duty Drawback.
To mitigate the hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to the trade
and industry and other stakeholders, Board vide Instruction No. 3/2020-
Customs, dated 9-4-2020 [2020 (372) E.L.T. (T9)] had initiated a special refund
and drawback disposal drive from 9-4-2020 to 30-4-2020 with the objective of
priority processing and disposal of all pending refund and drawback claims so
as to provide immediate relief to the business entities and especially MSMEs.
2. Representations have also been received in the Board from exporters
about delay in fixation and disbursal of Brand Rate of duty drawback. The
reports regarding age wise pendency status of applications for fixation of Brand
Rate received from the Zones show that a majority of them are pending beyond
the period of six months.
EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th June 2020  65