15.11 For speedy disposal of applications, a "Counter Assistance " will function in all the offices of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. A Foreign Trade Development Officer (FTDO) shall be incharge of the counter in each office. On submission of the application at the Counter, applicant will be handed over a token and would be advised on the same day whether his application has been found complete and admitted for further processing by the office or whether is any deficiency that needs to be rectified.

Counter Assistance will send the application to the concerned section on the same day of its receipt for necessary scrutiny. If there are any deficiencies, these will be noted by the concerned section and returned to the counter on the same day. In case of complete applications, the applicant will be given a formal receipt indicating file number for further reference. In case of deficient applications, the same will be returned to the applicant for complying with all the deficiencies pointed out by the concerned Section. Complete applications shall be processed by the concerned Section within the time frame as given under paragraph 15.10 communication of any deficiency noted subsequently should be undertaken only with the approval of the head of office who shall be responsible for effective functioning of Counter Assistance.

Counter Assistance may also be availed of for amendments of minor nature/enquiries. Applications, in such cases, will be received in the licensing offices at the counter against a proper receipt and the licence/list/enquiry, as the case may be, shall be returned after carrying out necessary amendments/ giving necessary reply as far as possible on the same day, across the Counter.