Interrogation rooms of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, customs clearance offices and checkposts will have to mandatorily install cameras, according to a directive from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. “The Board has asked all the zonal heads to install CCTV cameras in all the DRI interrogation room, Customs offices and enquiry rooms to ensure more transparency in the enforcement of the laws,” a senior official told ET. “The purpose is that all formal and informal interactions between the official and taxpayers at place of duty has to be recorded,” the official added. The CBIC had received some complaints from both businesses and passengers about harassment by some customs officials at airports. The board recently suspended three officials on complaint of three international passengers, alleging harassment.

Source: Economic Times August 13, 2023 18:11 UTC