Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
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Syllabus: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Context
Chennai Air Customs officials seized 14 ball pythons, 30 blue iguanas, four fiery squirrels at the airport on Monday. A passenger who arrived from Bangkok carried them. Officials seized the animals under the Customs Act and Wildlife Protection Acts.
The customs Act
- The Customs Act, 1962 is the primary legislation governing customs in India.
- It is a comprehensive act that covers all aspects of customs, from the levy and collection of customs duty to the prevention of smuggling.
- The Act defines customs duty as a tax levied on goods imported into or exported from India.
- The rate of customs duty is determined by the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.
- The Customs Act is enforced by the Customs and Central Excise Department, which is a part of the Ministry of Finance.
- The Department has a network of customs stations located at all major ports, airports, and land borders of India.
The Customs Act is an important piece of legislation that plays a vital role in the Indian economy. It helps to protect the domestic industry from unfair competition, and it also generates revenue for the government.
Here are some of the key provisions of the Customs Act:
- The Act defines customs duty and the rates at which it is levied.
- The Act empowers customs officers to search persons, vehicles, and premises, and to seize goods that are suspected to be smuggled or illegally imported.
- The Act also empowers customs officers to arrest and detain persons suspected of customs offenses.
- The Act provides for the imposition of penalties for customs offenses.
- The Act establishes a system of appeals against customs decisions.
The Customs Act is a complex and comprehensive piece of legislation. It is important for businesses to understand the Act and its implications for their operations. If you have any questions about the Customs Act, you should consult with a customs lawyer or advisor.
Here are some of the common customs offenses under the Customs Act:
- Smuggling: This is the illegal importation or exportation of goods.
- Undervaluation: This is the understatement of the value of goods for the purpose of reducing customs duty.
- Misdeclaration: This is the declaration of goods in a false or misleading manner.
- Contraband: This is the importation or exportation of goods that are prohibited by law.
The penalties for customs offenses can be severe. They can include imprisonment, fines, and the confiscation of goods.
Wildlife protection acts in India
There are two main wildlife protection acts in India:
- The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 is the primary legislation governing the protection of wildlife in India. It prohibits the hunting, trading, and possession of endangered species, and it establishes a system of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 is a complementary act that regulates the use of forest land. It prohibits the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes without the approval of the central government.
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- It is a comprehensive act that covers all aspects of wildlife protection.
- It defines the terms “wildlife” and “endangered species”, and it lists the species that are protected under the Act.
- The Act also prohibits the hunting, trading, and possession of endangered species, and it establishes a system of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are areas of land that are set aside for the protection of wildlife.
- They are managed by the government and are off-limits to the public.
- The parks and sanctuaries provide a safe habitat for endangered species and help to conserve the country’s biodiversity.
