Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

11-January-2012 18:08 IST

Finance Minister Launches the Signature Tune of the Indian Customs – Pragati Ki Dhadkan

Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee said that the Indian Customs Department has played an active role in automation of its processes to facilitate genuine trade for filing all documentation relating to imports and exports by EDI System thereby reducing dwell time, expediting decision making, lessening paper work and lowering transaction costs. The Finance Minister Shri Mukherjee was speaking after launching the signature tune of the Indian Customs “Pragati ki Dhadkan” in a function held, here today. The signature tune has been specially composed by noted music director Shri Adesh Srivastava. This Signature tune marks a curtain raiser to the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Indian Customs Act, 1962. This tune will also be played alongside the tableau of the Central Board of Excise and Customs during the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath on 26th January,2012.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee said Indian customs have actively engaged in their duties for protecting the economic frontiers of the country by preventing smuggling of environmentally hazardous goods, wild life, endangered species of flora and fauna, arts and antiquities, fake Indian currency notes (FICN) etc as well as in detection of smuggling of goods and commercial fraud cases involved in international trade among others.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee said that the year 2012 marks the 50th year of the Customs Act 1962. He congratulated the officers of the department for taking various initiatives including the participation in the Republic Day Parade 2012 through a Tableau entitled Indian Customs-“The Guardian of Our Economic Frontiers to inform the tax payers and general public about the milestone event and requesting all concerned to join them in nation building.

This is for the first time this year that the Central Board of Excise and Customs on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India will be participating in the Republic Day Parade through aforesaid Tableau which showcases the myriad facets of Indian Customs and its vigil at all frontiers. This signature tune will also be played alongside the Tableau. It captures the presence of Indian Customs on the Indian waters, over the Indian skies and the land borders in the three movements of the music. Its vibrant beat is evocative of this dynamic force and symbolises the March of Progress.

The Minister of State (Revenue) Shri S.S.Palanimanickam, Chairman CBEC, Members of CBEC, senior officials of the Ministry and CBEC, noted music Director Shri Aadesh Shrivastava were also present on the occasion among others.

DSM/GN

Customs modernization improves trade facilitation and commemorates the Customs Act milestone with a new signature tune. The launch of the signature tune 'Pragati Ki Dhadkan' accompanies Indian Customs' modernisation measures, including EDI filing for import and export documentation to reduce dwell time, expedite decisions, lessen paperwork and lower transaction costs. The occasion also commemorates the Customs Act, 1962 milestone and underscores Customs' enforcement role against smuggling of hazardous goods, wildlife, antiquities and counterfeit currency, with a Republic Day tableau and musical theme symbolising presence on maritime, air and land frontiers.