The Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued strongly worded trade notices restricting entry of persons other than staff members in his regional offices or headquarters, directing staff members with dubious reputation be placed in a 'watch list' and that touts and middlemen not be encouraged.
The DGFT has directed that all queries/submissions must be made by email to the officer/staff member concerned. If physical submission of documents is necessary, the same should be done through speed post. In exceptional situations, the documents may be submitted at the receipt counter against a computerised acknowledgement. When absolutely necessary, meeting with the head of office or any Joint DGFT can be sought by the applicant.
On electronic data interchange-related matters, a senior officer may allow any person from the trade to meet the technical officer. Barring these exceptions, no outsider will be allowed to enter the offices of the DGFT.
Emphasising zero tolerance to corruption, the DGFT has reiterated highest standards of integrity must be maintained by all government servants in discharge of their official duties. Officers and staff with dubious reputation must be identified and placed on a watch list and closely monitored and kept in non-sensitive positions. Work rotation to avoid long tenures in sensitive positions must be ensured. Touts and middlemen who operate in the offices must be identified and reported so as to make them persona non-grata in the offices, says the DGFT.
The DGFT has sought the cooperation of the entire importer-exporter community to bring any improper activity to the knowledge of senior offices, including the DGFT and the vigilance apparatus. The trade notices give the contact details of persons to whom relevant information can be given.
Few can disagree with the DGFT that corruption should not be tolerated, but he should institute necessary mechanisms to build necessary confidence that legitimate claims will not be delayed or denied on flimsy grounds.
His instruction asking heads of offices to monitor all the emails and replies appears to address the issue, but some of them are not above board. He is unlikely to receive complaints from the applicants on the quality of responses from his offices. They are more interested in getting their entitlements quickly. So, the DGFT should devise a way to find out how well his instructions play out in letter and spirit and take necessary action. Otherwise, his claim about zero tolerance to corruption will sound hollow.
Many times, applicants appoint consultants for their specialised knowledge in the subject. Most consultants act with due authorisation from the applicants. Whether the DGFT can stop any authorised representative from meeting the heads of offices is doubtful. Anyway, his determination to weed out corruption deserves to be welcomed as a good start.
email: tncrajagopalan@gmail.com
The DGFT has directed that all queries/submissions must be made by email to the officer/staff member concerned. If physical submission of documents is necessary, the same should be done through speed post. In exceptional situations, the documents may be submitted at the receipt counter against a computerised acknowledgement. When absolutely necessary, meeting with the head of office or any Joint DGFT can be sought by the applicant.
On electronic data interchange-related matters, a senior officer may allow any person from the trade to meet the technical officer. Barring these exceptions, no outsider will be allowed to enter the offices of the DGFT.
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The DGFT has instructed his offices to reply to all emails or other queries within 48 hours and dispose of all matters within the time limits laid down. The heads of offices must review all email replies to ensure timely disposal of the matter. All regional offices of the DGFT should put up online a list of all pending applications in all functional areas giving time duration of pendency.
Emphasising zero tolerance to corruption, the DGFT has reiterated highest standards of integrity must be maintained by all government servants in discharge of their official duties. Officers and staff with dubious reputation must be identified and placed on a watch list and closely monitored and kept in non-sensitive positions. Work rotation to avoid long tenures in sensitive positions must be ensured. Touts and middlemen who operate in the offices must be identified and reported so as to make them persona non-grata in the offices, says the DGFT.
The DGFT has sought the cooperation of the entire importer-exporter community to bring any improper activity to the knowledge of senior offices, including the DGFT and the vigilance apparatus. The trade notices give the contact details of persons to whom relevant information can be given.
Few can disagree with the DGFT that corruption should not be tolerated, but he should institute necessary mechanisms to build necessary confidence that legitimate claims will not be delayed or denied on flimsy grounds.
His instruction asking heads of offices to monitor all the emails and replies appears to address the issue, but some of them are not above board. He is unlikely to receive complaints from the applicants on the quality of responses from his offices. They are more interested in getting their entitlements quickly. So, the DGFT should devise a way to find out how well his instructions play out in letter and spirit and take necessary action. Otherwise, his claim about zero tolerance to corruption will sound hollow.
Many times, applicants appoint consultants for their specialised knowledge in the subject. Most consultants act with due authorisation from the applicants. Whether the DGFT can stop any authorised representative from meeting the heads of offices is doubtful. Anyway, his determination to weed out corruption deserves to be welcomed as a good start.
email: tncrajagopalan@gmail.com