Question : SMUGGLING OF CARS

(a) whether the Government are aware of the smuggling of cars;

(b) if so, the number of cases of smuggling of cars came to the notice of the Government during 1998, 1999 and the current year so far; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to check the smuggling of cars?

MINISTER OF STATE (REVENUE) IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE(SHRI GINGEE N. RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. Some cases of illegal import of cars in violation of Export-Import Policy and misdeclaration of value, which amount to smuggling under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962, have been noticed. Number of such cars illegally imported and which were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, during years 1998, 1999 and 2000 (up to 15.11.2000) are as follows:

Year No. of cars seized
1998 109
1999 96
2000 31

(up to
15.11.2000)