Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman launches Electronic Data Interchange

New Delhi:29/23/24: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) at Land Customs Stations (LCS) of the North East Region (NER), via virtual mode in New Delhi today. With these remote LCS getting EDI-enabled, the movement of goods and customs clearances will now become more efficient, thus enhancing regional trade and fostering economic growth.

The EDI launch was also attended by Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Revenue Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC); Shri Alok Shukla, Member (Admin & Vig), CBIC; Shri Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax Policy & Legal), CBIC; Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), CBIC; Smt. Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member (IT & Tax Payer Services & Technology), CBIC; and senior officials of CBIC and Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.

Led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for creating modern digital infrastructure and ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution reach everyone, the Union Finance Minister, in her speech at Guwahati on 21^st July 2023, had commended the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for converting the non-EDI LCS, mostly located in remote border areas of North and North-East India, into EDI-integrated LCS. She had exhorted the department to incorporate the rest of the functional LCS in NER into the EDI System.

During her address at the launch of EDI at Land Customs Stations in the North East region, Smt. Sitharaman called upon the CBIC and Customs to address the challenges faced by exports and stated that remote LCS getting EDI enabled is important as it will help in providing real-time data on the movement of goods. The Union Finance Minister also called upon the Customs Department to be alert while manning the post in sensitive border areas, especially in areas that are densely populated and vulnerable.

While giving Vote of Thanks, Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), said, “The launch of the EDI system today signifies a monumental step towards enhancing efficiency and promoting Ease of Doing Business in the remote locations of NER. This achievement underscores our firm commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of trade and commerce.

”With a focus on harnessing technology for the development of NER, the CBIC has completed the task of EDI enablement at the following LCS – Ghasuapara, Bholaganj, Shellabazar, Borsora, Khowaighat, Baghmara, Golakganj, Karimganj and Dawki along Indo-Bangladesh border and Zokhawthar along Indo-Myanmar border. These LCSs presented distinct challenges, situated in far-flung areas without Optical Fibre or Mobile Networks. CBIC overcame these obstacles by installing VSAT at several locations. The journey symbolizes not only the technical enhancement of Customs operations but also the commitment of CBIC towards nation’s progress in Kartavya Kaal.