The Central Board of Excise and Customs has sought from the Government a 33 per cent increase in staff strength.
The department plans to recruit officers in the A, B and C categories. The proposal is with the Department of Personnel and Training. Once approved, it will go to the Cabinet for approval, said Mr S.K. Goel, Chairman, CBEC.
Mr Goel was responding to a query from mediapersons about the shortage of customs officers at the Chennai port that was affecting the free flow of containerised goods. “The shortage is not only in Chennai but across India. We hope to solve it by recruiting more officers. I cannot give you a timeframe on the staff addition,” he said.