AP excise department software dysfunctional

KAKINADA: Exporters and importers of various ports in Andhra Pradesh are facing hardships due to non-functioning of software of Customs and Excise Department.

The department has introduced online mode of transactions. But, due to technical defects and server download problems, the transactions are not being properly generated in online and it takes much time to complete the transactions.

The traders should make online transactions to get clearances. All payments should be done through online. Due to technical defects, the transaction often is stuck midway.

In order to avoiding the delay, the traders are paying amounts to the department manually. Meanwhile, after the activation of transactions, automatically the amount is credited to the department from the trader’s account. In these circumstances, the department has to repay one amount to the trader.

“We are facing a lot of difficulties to get the amount due to technical defects. The system should be improved,’’ appealed 3F Industries’ vice-president A.K.S. Murthy to Customs and Excise Commissioner Ms Sudha Koka, who organised an awareness camp on ‘Customer’s Outreach for Some Changes in Customs Procedures in GST area’ on Tuesday. He said the system should be made streamline.

According to traders, it is taking more time on part of department in completion of final assessments. After the payment of bills, provisional assessment has to be done as per prescribed technical specifications. 

After the completion of the procedures, the department also should give final assessment report.  

If the department finds any additional parameters in imports, the officials will make final assessment. But, the department takes more than six months for giving final assessment.

“The traders are getting more tension until receiving the final assessment report. The report should be given as early possible to make other transaction,’’ said a trader.

Customs and Excise Commissioner Ms. Sudha Koka said there were some technical defects in online transactions and the department was striving hard to sort out the problems.

“We are monitoring the online system minute-to-minute and alerting officials. The services would be improved soon,’’ she said.

She also said for the first time, the Central Excise and Customs department is going to allow exporters to self-seal containers meant for export from October 1. 

The practice of factory stuffing under the supervision of central excise authorities is being replaced by trust-based compliance by strengthening the risk management system.