PRESS NOTE: Customs and Central Excise Staff donate Rs. 2.25 lakhs towards Chennai flood relief

PRESS NOTE

                        In the aftermath of the recent heavy rains and floods in Chennai and adjacent parts in Tamil Nadu, the officers and staff of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Commissionerates of Visakhapatnam donated Rs. 2,25,100/- as their contribution towards the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected people of Tamil Nadu.

​The amount

​wi​

ll be utilized for providing utensil sets to 320 odd affected families in Cuddalore district.

                       

​ ​

​                      ​

The contribution was handed over by the Principal Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam,

​Sri

C. Rajendiran and the Commissioner of Central Excise and Service Tax, Visakhapatnam,

​Sri

Anil G. Shakkarwar to

​Sri

A. Seeralan, President

​, ​

Tamil Kalai Madram, Visakhapatnam which is leading the relief efforts from city in conjunction with the State government authorities. S

​ri

C. Rajendiran also appreciated the relief efforts by Tamil Kalai Madram and expressed solidarity with the people of Tamil Nadu on behalf of the departmental officers. Other senior officers of the Customs and Central Excise department and office bearers of Tamil Kalai Madram were present at the meet

​ held in Custom House​

.

​ (Photograph attached.)​

 The donation drive (​in the department ​all offices ​​located ​in Vizag, Kakinada, Rajamundry and Vijayanagaram)​ was co-ordinated by Customs, Excise and Service Tax Volunteers' Association (CESVA). CESVA was formed by a group of departmental officers ​and staff ​in the aftermath of the Hudhud Cyclone last year. It started off by working with Vizag Zoo and forest department authorities to clear the tree debris in the Zoo, Animal Rescue Centre etc. among other places. Over the next few months, CESVA expanded its activities to initiatives like "Swachh Bharat"campaign and undertook beach cleaning activities at Rushikonda and R K Beach in the city. Recently, it has also started 'CESVA study circle' ​in Central Revenue Quarters, Sand Hills ​with a small group of IRS officers providing free guidance to needy students preparing for Civil Services and other competitive exams.

 

 

Edara Ravi Kiran​ IRS​

Co-ordinator,

​

Customs, Excise and Service Tax Volunteers' Association (CESVA)