Interview with T. R. Radhakrishnan, ADG, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, Chennai.

HOW HAS the Civil Services examination system changed over the years?

I had appeared for the Civil Services in 1966, the format of the exam has since then changed a great deal. There are now, a lot more components. During my time there were only 10 services within the Central services, the IAS, IFS, IPS, Indian Railway Accounts, Internal Revenue, Customs etc. Around 300 candidates cleared the exam out of which the first 100 were selected for IFS and IAS and the rest opted for the other services.

However, now the selection method has become more elaborate as more number of people have started applying.

Can you explain the functions of this field of Civil Services?

Central excise and revenue are indirect taxes whose burden is ultimately passed on to the consumer. We collect it from the exporters, importers and manufacturers in India and they in turn include it in the cost of the goods while selling it. We'll collect 55,000 crores as central excise revenue and around 45,000 crores as customs revenue this year.

The most important function of this service is the collection of revenue. We have customhouses situated around the country, which levy the duties and taxes from the manufacturers. The goods are assessed and duties are levied accordingly and in case of any violation the offender is presented before the adjudicating officer.

Another important function is monitoring the manufacture of narcotics, especially poppy plants. Poppy is grown at various places around the country and opium is processed for medicinal purposes in hi-tech laboratories. We closely monitor the yield of poppy seeds and its processing.

An officer of this department has to play various roles. He is an executive while fulfilling his duties; he becomes a judge when adjudicating cases, a policeman when he seizes goods and a public relations officer when he interacts with passengers at the airport. So there is no chance of monotony in this field of service at all.

What is the method of recruitment and training you adopt?

Recruitment is both direct and through promotion, in an equal ratio. The direct recruits are those who write the UPSC exams, and are selected after due process. The other half consists of superintendents who get promoted to the cadre of assistant commissioners.

For the direct recruits we have an elaborate training system, which lasts for nearly two years, it is also known as the probation period. We have training academies in Faridabad and in Chennai. Apart from these we also have regional training institutes in Mumbai and Calcutta. We also have an annual training programme, which lasts from April 1st to March 31st for which the faculty is drawn from our own staff as well as from outside. The course material is prepared well in advance.

The direct recruits first go to Mussorie, where recruits from other cadres join them for a foundation course in public administration, economics and taxation. Then they are sent to their respective training colleges, like our chaps go to Faridabad, where they undergo intensive training in various departments, under senior officials and on the field. They are then posted to the customhouses, wherein they undergo exhaustive training not only in this field but also in other allied areas. Apart from this they are also trained to use fire- arms, karate, swimming and yoga.

The first batch had come out in 1948. Right now the 51st batch has just been posted after completing the required training period. They will be posted as assistant commissioners to excise formations or customhouses, wherein they will work for three months in the field. A furbishing course is conducted after which they become full-fledged officers.

We have introduced a refresher course now for people who had joined eight or ten years back. They undergo this training program where they get to learn about the latest happenings in the field from all round the world. For example, various case studies are conducted to keep them abreast of the latest developments, the method of functioning of international organisations like World Customs Organisation, of which we are a member and World Trade Organisation. They are also educated in the various uses of information technology in this field, as all the customhouses are networked by the National Infomatics Centre and assessment is now done online.

How do you involve the officers who have retired from the Service?

The age of retirement earlier was 58 years but now it has been extended to 60 years by the present government. Retired officers apart from getting a generous pension are also involved in the training programs as visiting lecturers for which they are paid an honorarium. They are felicitated on International Customs Day so that they do not feel neglected or forgotten.

Malini Suryanarayanan