Vasco: The Commissionerate of Customs, Goa cclebrated International Customs
Day on January 27 at Custom House, Marmagoa. International Customs Day is
celebrated every year in commemoration of the day in 1953 when the inaugural
session of Customs Cooperation Council was held in Brussels, Belgium. Dr. E.
Ramesh Kumar, IAS, Chairman, MPT, Goa was the chief guest. Shri V.
Soundararajan, Commissioner, CGST, Goa also graced the occasion. The guests
were welcomed with a potted flower rather than artificial bouquet to mark the eco-
friendly practices within the Customs department.
The theme for this year’s International Customs Day is ‘the contribution of
Čustoms towards a sustainable future where social, economic, health and
environmental needs are at the heart of our actions’ with the slogan ‘customs
fostering sustainability for people, prosperity and the planet.’
The Commissioner of Customs, Mihir Ranjan, briefed about various aspects
of the WCO theme and urged officers of Customs to understand their role and
social impact of their day to day actions thus ensuring the sustainable development
of our nation.
The Chief Guest Dr. E. Ramesh Kumar, IAS, in his speech, touched upon
the importance of inter-departmental co-ordination and mentioned the huge share
of revenue that Customs is contributing to the economy.
The Guest of Honor, Shri V. Soundararajan, Commissioner, CGST, Goa
spoke in general about the role of Customs from trade facilitator to protector of
Indian Coastal lines along with Coast Guard.
The Commissioner of Customs presented mementos to the top exporter M/s.
JSW Steel Ltd. and top importer M/s. Vedanta Ltd. Other Customs Brokers who
have contributed well in the previous financial year were appreciated.
Certificates were also presented to Customs officers who have done excellent
work in the previous financial year.
Shri Mahabir Singh Meena, Joint Commissioner of Customs delivered the
vote of thanks.
