As a part of the Vigilance Awareness Week being observed from 31st October to 5th November, 2011, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC),Ministry of Finance, organized an interaction with officers and staff, here today. This was presided over by Shri. S.K.Goel, Chairman, CBEC, who addressed the gathering and reiterated the importance of probity in public life. Elaborating on the need for integrity and efficiency in the department, he said that public service should be treated as a trust. He expounded how integrity would lead to enhanced levels of efficiency and consequential growth. The contribution of the Department towards nation-building, especially as the revenue collecting arm of the government should be appreciated in the correct perspective. He underlined the virtues of courage and commitment in the due discharge of the duties performed by all members of the organisation. He also underscored that the senior officers should lead by example in their conduct and performance to promote integrity and efficiency. The officers and staff should also take the lead in educating members of the trade and public on the virtues & necessity of fair and transparent dealings with the tax administrators. 

Ms. Praveen Mahajan, Member (Personnel & Vigilance), CBEC, who also addressed the gathering reiterated the need to take the initiative to ensure that the organization works as a cohesive institution. She further informed the gathering about the initiatives taken by the Department with regard to automation and redressal of Public Grievances, especially CPGRAM which is the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System and has proved to be successful in addressing complaints and grievances regarding corruption and harassment against official misdemeanours. 

Shri. K.K.Jha, Director General of Vigilance, who welcomed the officers, reminded them about the cascading effects that corrupt practices inflict on the society, and on the need to work towards eradication of the same. An interactive session was also held where the officers offered their suggestions to the Board for streamlining administration and improving the integrity and efficiency levels in the organisation. Shri. M.C.Thakur, Member (Customs), CBEC and Shri. M.S.Badhan, Member (Central Excise), CBEC also graced the occasion. Shri. Najib Shah, Chief Commissioner of Customs, New Delhi proposed the vote of thanks.