Page 56 - ELT_15th July 2020_Vol 373_Part 2

A62 EXCISE LAW TIMES [ Vol. 373

Tapping networks
The investigators tapped their networks and rumours started trickling in
of the existence of a well-entrenched UAE-headquartered racket that sends gold
to India, concealed in air cargo shipments, addressed to diplomatic missions. To
ferret out actionable intelligence about future consignments, the enforcers moni-
tored the UAE market for suspicious bulk purchases of the metal.
They used secret surveillance, informants and plainclothes officers to
gather evidence through unorthodox means that went beyond the range of
standard Customs enforcement protocol at air and seaports. The law enforcers
struck gold when they learned in June that an incoming consignment addressed
to the consulate contained the contraband.
National security
They apprised the Central Government of the underlying threat to na-
tional security posed by an international racket that used diplomatic goodwill as
a cover for gold smuggling.
The Union Ministry of External Affairs sought the permission of the
UAE Government to inspect the shipment.
The enforcers found the gold concealed in imported piping in the pres-
ence of UAE officials.
The Customs has not charged the former consulate officials, both Keral-
ites. It is treating them as witnesses for now.
The enforcers were investigating the UAE end of the racket. They said
they had no evidence so far to suggest that embassy officials were in the know.
The Investigators want to find out who processed the paperwork for the
shipment and the identity of the persons who funded the multi-crore operation
and their local collaborators.
The Customs suspects that the racketeers could have used the same
route to import gold into India in bulk illegally before. The recent detection was
just the tip of the iceberg, an official said.
[Source : The Hindu, Kochi, dated 7-7-2020]

(1) New process of MSME Registration takes off in the
name of Udyam Registration from 1st July, 2020 as
planned earlier
(2) A new portal for Udyam Registration launched by the
MSME Ministry
As already declared by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME), vide the Notification dated 26th June, 2020, the new process
of Classification and Registration of enterprises is starting from 1st July, 2020. An
enterprise for this purpose will be known as Udyam and its Registration Process
will be known as ‘Udyam Registration’.
Further highlights of this process are :

EXCISE LAW TIMES  15th July 2020  56