Accommodation to be provided for customs officers in wharves, etc., appointed under Customs Act, 1962

(1) Where the Commissioner of Customs has, under the provisions of any Act for the levy of duties of customs appointed any dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage warehouse or shed or a portion of any warehouse of shed provided at any port under the provisions of this Act for the use of sea going vessels to be an approved place for the landing or shipping of goods of a warehouse for the storing of dutiable goods on the first importation thereof without payment of duty, within the meaning of the first-mentioned Act of the Board shall set apart and maintain such place on or adjoining such dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage or in such warehouse or shed or portion thereof, for the use of officers of customs as may be necessary. (2) Notwithstanding that any dock, berth, wharf, quay, stage, jetty, pier or place of anchorage, warehouse or shed or portion thereof at any port has, under the provisions of sub-section(1), been set apart for the use of the officers of customs at the port, all rates and other charges, payable under this Act in respect thereof, or for the storage of goods therein shall be payable to the Board, or to such person or persons as may be appointed by the Board to receive the same. (3) The customs cargo service provider for custody of imported goods or export goods and for handling of such goods in custom area shall full fill the conditions stipulated in regulation 5 of the Handling of Cargo Customs Areas Regulations, 2009. (4) The customs cargo service provider shall provide free of cost or rent free, fully furnished office accommodation for customs. Customs Electronic Data Interchange (ED) Service Centre with required amenities and facilities and residential accommodation and transportation facilities for customs staff is to be provided subject to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Customs. As per the regulation 5 (b) Handling Cargo in Customs Area Regulation, 2009. (a) extend the period of supersession for such further term, not exceeding six months, as it may consider necessary; or (b) reconstitute the Board by fresh appointment and in such case, any person who vacated their offices under clause(a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed disqualified for appointment; or (c) reconstitute the Board by appointment only for such period as it may consider necessary and in such a case the persons who vacated their offices under clause(a) of sub-section(2) shall not be deemed disqualified for such appointment merely because they were members of the Board when the Board was superseded: Provided that the Government may, at any time before the expiration of the period of supersession, whether as originally specified under sub-section (1) or as extended under this sub-section, take action under clause (b) or clause (c) of this sub-section. The Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before the State Legislature at the earliest possible opportunity.