Date:30/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/30/stories/2005063001470200.htm

Back Customs & Excise `help centres' set up

Our Bureau

Chennai , June 29

THE Central Board of Excise and Customs, jointly with industry associations, has set up `Help Centres' for assisting assesses.

Two such centres have been announced for Chennai — one in the office of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Karimuthu Centre on Anna Salai, and the other in the office of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

"The objective of the centres is primarily to provide an institutional mechanism for guiding and educating the trade and industry in all matters relating to Central excise, customs and service tax," Dr J. Sridharan, Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Chennai Zone, told presspersons today.

The two help centres will have members from MCCI, CII, Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers' Association, Tamil Nadu Small Scale Industries Association and the local chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

To begin with, the centres will start functioning between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., but would be extended depending on the demand for services, Dr Sridharan said.