PUBLIC NOTICE No.-32/2005, Date : 28.06.2005

Setting up of Help Centre for Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax – reg.

Attention of Importers / Exporters /Manufacturers and service providers in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane & Raigad districts, is invited towards the Budget speech of the Hon’ble Finance Minister for the year 2005-06, wherein it was proposed to set up Help Centres for small tax payers, in all the major cities, in co-operation with Industries Associations, Professional Bodies and NGOs. The setting up of Help Centre would be a pioneering venture in private-public partnership in connection with Indirect Tax collections.

2. The prime objective of the Help Centre would be to help the compliant tax assesses, small importers, exporters or service providers by providing an institutional arrangement for guiding and educating them in all matters relating to Indirect Taxes. The Help Centre would also make the tax payers aware of their rights and obligations as also to educate them about the advantages of tax compliance. However, the Help Centre will not be a forum for grievance redressal for which separate fora are already in Custom Houses.

3. The Help Centre would comprise of authorized representatives of local SSI Associations, Industry Associations of the area and NGOs concerned with Indirect Taxes and representatives from Customs, Excise and Service Tax departments.

4. In Mumbai, the Help Centre will operate from the premises of Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Oricon House, 6th Floor, 12K, Dubash Marg, Near Museum, Mumbai -1 (the contact person will be Mr. Vijay P. Parab, Tel No. 22028950 /8954 & 22855859 /60). Initially the services of the officers of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax will be available at the Help Centre from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm only. Subsequently, depending upon the need, the time can be extended further.

5. The infrastructure support will be provided by the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture. The Help Centre would also, depending on the need, organize workshops under its aegis to educate the small importers / exporters / manufacturers and service providers of Mumbai.

6. The Help Centre in Mumbai will become fully functional from 1st July 2005.

Sd/-28.06.2005
(A.K. PRASAD)
COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS (IMPORT)

Attested by

(R.D. MORE)
ASSTT. COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS,
APPRAISING (GENERAL)

Presented by eximkey.com