The Madras high court on Sunday chided top central agencies, including the Customs department, for not taking any action to prevent the illegal import of Chinese firecrackers into the country. Meanwhile, the court's bench here was also told that many containers were allowed to go out from ports unchecked, thus helping the entry of about 600 containers of Chinese firecrackers into the country now.
During the hearing at the special sitting, the Madurai bench of the court was told by the Customs department at Tuticorin that it was not even aware of communications sent by the chief controller of explosives (CCE) seeking action against the illegal import of Chinese firecrackers so that the Indian industry based primarily in Sivakasi could be saved.
At Saturday's hearing too, the court was told by the petitioner's side that the CCE' letter was communicated to the customs authorities and repeated representations were sent to the central government agencies, but their efforts had been in vain. Besides, the CBI too did not take action on the complaint filed by the fireworks manufacturers.
The court was considering a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by A Muthukrishnan of Sivakasi against illegal import of Chinese firecrackers. The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association had also filed a case in the matter.
In the special sitting, the division bench of justices N Kirubakaran and S Vaidyanathan raised several questions to the central government's counsels. They represented the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
"The issue of illegal importing has been brought to the notice of the central government agencies for many years now. What prevented the agencies to take suo moto action in the issue? What action was taken on the letter sent from the CCE in 2012? The court asked.
"The court was told that there is only one scanner in the Tuticorin port. How it is possible for the customs to check the entire consignments when hundreds of containers come to the port? The court asked.
Piyush Bharadwaj, assistant commissioner of customs (Tuticorin) who appeared in the court, said the CCE's letter dated May 30, 2012 was not addressed to the central board of excise and customs (CBEC) or to the DRI. And, the same was also not addressed to either the commissioner of customs (Tuticorin) or to the chief commissioner of customs (preventive), Trichy, to whom the former reports.
Meanwhile, senior standing counsel of custom and excise B Vijay Karthikeyan said the Tuticorin customs will soon get one more modern scanner. Customs' intelligence wing is always on alert and frequent surprise checks are carried out by the higher officers, he added.
Assistant solicitor general K K Senthilvelan who appeared for CBI said the agency has started an inquiry on a complaint sent by the fireworks manufacturers association.
Additional government pleader S Sadeeshkumar said two special teams headed by inspectors of police have been formed in this case and raids were carried out in 10 godowns. However, no one has been apprehended so far.
Meanwhile, the TANFAMA filed a petition on Sunday stating that six containers carrying Chinese firecrackers have been found in Noida, which is under the jurisdiction of the joint controller of explosives, Agra. The concerned officials have been engaged to destroy the same, the petition said.
After hearing all concerned sides, the high court directed to add the CBEC as a party to the case and reserved its interim orders. It suggested that proper checks are essential in all ports and airports across the country.
Recently, Tamil Nadu Fireworks Industries Workers Protection Association had announced a reward ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10 lakh to anyone helping to locate imported Chinese firecrackers.
Source:- timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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