Mumbai, July 15: The Union finance ministry has decided to increase the number of central excise commissionerates with effect from August 1, 1997. At least 60 new commissionerates will come into being, including four in Mumbai alone.

Sources close to the revenue department claimed that a notification relating to the new commissionerates has already been circulated and will soon be gazetted. An increase in the number of commissionerates has been on the cards for the last few months not only in excise but customs as well. "This is being done in view of the increased volume of export-import trade and manufacturing activities in the wake of the liberalised economic policies," sources claimed. They said the existing three excise commissionerates in Mumbai will now be split into seven.

Similarly, in Calcutta, the existing commissionerates will be dissected and converted into four. Sources claimed that the increase in the number of commissionerates will make them more manageable, leading to better tax compliance. In view of the greater sophistication being brought into the manufacturing process following liberalisation, large commissionerates were proving to be unwieldy and difficult to manage.

The new setup envisages the bifurcation and trifurcation of the larger commissionerates. A side benefit will be the creation of greater promotion opportunities for IRS staff. However, at the lower level, any increase in job opportunities or better promotional avenues is unlikely because that has not been provided for.

The notification speaks only about the appointment of new commissionerates and commissioners. The lower level staff are likely to be drawn from the existing cadre, source claimed.

According to sources, though the notification is yet to be dated and issued officially, it is likely to give birth to all these commissionerates on August 1, 1997.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.