Revenue department today said that confiscated or seized consumer goods valuing above Rs 5 lakh will be disposed of through auction process only.
In cases where the value of seized goods exceeds Rs 5 lakh, CBEC said the items "shall not be sold directly to cooperative societies or federation and shall be sold by e- auction or auction-cum-tender basis".
The societies and federations can participate in the auction, but they will not get any discount or rebate.
Central Vigilance Commission has been emphasising on e-commerce/ e-procurement/ e-sales for enhancing transparency, giving equal opportunities to all.
However, such goods valuing less than Rs 5 lakh will be offered to cooperative societies and federations at 10 per cent discount, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said in a circular.
"Any lot of confiscated/seized consumer goods, which is ripe for disposal and whose value does no exceed Rs 5 lakh, shall be offered to NCCF/KB/other central government employees consumer cooperative society/ multi-state consumer cooperative societies/ state consumer cooperatives, at a uniform rebate/ discount of 10 per cent," it said.
The societies or federations will not be allowed to "pick and choose" the items and they will have sell the goods to customers on "first come first serve" basis.
Prior to February 2015, preferential treatment was being given to National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF), Kendriya Bhandar (KB) and other cooperative societies in purchase of stationery and other articles.
However, the special dispensation available to these cooperatives/organisations was discontinued from April 2015.
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