Question : Irregularities in Export and Import of Foodgrains

(a) whether some cases of irregularities in export and import of various foodgrains including pulses that have come to the notice of the Government;
(b) if so, the nature of such irregularities and the loss incurred to the exchequer as a result thereof during each of the last three years along with the action taken by the Government in these cases;
(c) whether some importers have made delays in lifting the imported pulses from the ports in view of possibilities in increase of prices of pulses in domestic markets;
(d) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government against them; and
(e) whether the Government has taken any positive steps to ensure better system to monitor such irregularities and complaints and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b): A few cases have been reported wherein the exporters /importers had not followed the rules/ procedures as laid down. Action under the Customs Act,1962 was taken and goods were confiscated and penalty was imposed. Loss to the exchequer is not quantifiable in such cases. Details are tabulated in Table I of the annexure.
(c) & (d): Some consignments of pulses were not lifted by the importers within the stipulated time as prescribed under the Customs Act, 1962. Action has been taken as per the laid down procedures and rules in the Customs Act, 1962 as indicated in Table II of the annexure.
(e): Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence issues regular Alert/ Modus Operandi Circulars sensitizing the Customs field formations to keep strict vigil and thwart any such irregularities in imports/exports.

Annexure
Table I [ for parts ( a) and (b) of the question]

Year No. of Cases Booked Issues involved /Nature of Cases Value
(Rs. In Lakhs)
Action taken
2013-14 1 The exporter has not followed the procedure laid down in para 2.2, 3.1. and 4.1 of the Regulation of Export of Peanuts and Peanut products through control of Aflatoxins issued by APEDA, New Delhi
11.36 The cargo was confiscated with an option to redeem on payment of fine. Penalty was also imposed on the exporter and the Customs Broker.
2014-15 3 Illicit export of moong dhal/fried grams/chick peas in violation to the provisions of Customs Act, 1962. Moong dhal/fried grams /chick peas were prohibited items for export during the period under Foreign Trade Policy
9.09 The cargo was confiscated with an option to redeem on payment of fine. Penalty was also imposed on the exporter.
2015-16 - - - -
2016-17
[ Upto Jan 2017] - - - -




Table II [ for parts ( c) and (d) of the question]

Number of consignments not cleared within the stipulated time under Section 48 of the Customs Act, 1962 and still pending at ports/CFSs
Quantity [in Metric Tons] Action Taken
One consignment of imported cargo ‘Kaspa Dun peas’ was not cleared within the stipulated time limit of 30 days from the date of import. The time limit under Section 48 of the Customs Act, 1962 expired on 06.02.2017. 136.940 The custodian of the cargo was issued first notice on 06.02.2017 and final notice on 23.02.2017 under Section 48 of the Customs Act, 1962. Now the custodian has been addressed to send valuation report to auction the cargo.