In a significant development aimed at increasing direct access to consumer markets for fishermen and harnessing the potential of digital commerce in the Indian fisheries sector, the Department of Fisheries (GoI) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The momentous occasion took place on February 19, 2024, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, and Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Dr. L Murugan.

Notable figures including Secretary of the Department of Fisheries, Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Joint Secretary Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Managing Director of ONDC, Shri T. Koshy, and ONDC Vice President, Ms. Aditi Singh, were present during the signing ceremony. The hybrid-mode program saw the participation of around 50 Fish Farmers Producers Organizations (FFPOs) and other esteemed dignitaries.

This MoU signing marks a historic collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and ONDC, providing a digital platform for fisherfolks, fish farmers, producers’ organizations, entrepreneurs, self-help groups (SHGs), fishermen cooperatives, and other stakeholders in the fisheries sector to access broader markets, expanding their reach and potential customer base. The partnership aims to facilitate the implementation of technology-driven solutions, enhancing efficiency, collectivization, and competitiveness among small-scale producers and marketers.

The adoption of digital technical solutions is expected to bring trust, reduced transaction costs, increased market reach, improved transparency, heightened competitiveness, innovation, and employment generation. In the long term, the ONDC network is anticipated to facilitate seamless integration for harnessing the benefits of collectivization between producers, processors, and distributors within the fisheries sector, enabling efficient supply chain management, value chains, and market access.

Moreover, the collaboration between the Department of Fisheries and ONDC will support capacity building and awareness through educational workshops for MSMEs, start-ups, SHGs, small and marginal fishermen, FFPOs, fishers, and other market participants in the fisheries sector.

ONDC, incorporated as a Section 8 company, is an initiative by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, with the objective of promoting open networks for the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. This platform empowers stakeholders in the fisheries sector to make informed decisions regarding production, pricing, and distribution strategies. ONDC serves as a unique e-marketing platform and is expected to play a significant role in connecting numerous FFPOs and other fishermen cooperatives, reducing reliance on intermediaries and fostering direct channels between producers and consumers.

As of November 2023, ONDC recorded more than 6.3 million transactions across 600+ cities, with sellers and service providers spread across 500+ cities, showcasing the expanding geographical coverage of the network. Over 3000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and around 400 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro-entrepreneurs, and social sector enterprises have registered and joined the ONDC network.

The collaboration comes at a crucial juncture as the fisheries sector emerges as a sunrise industry, offering tremendous potential for equitable and inclusive growth. The Government of India, through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Development Fund, has been actively transforming the sector, demonstrating an outstanding average annual growth of 10.87% since 2014-15. The collaboration with ONDC aligns with the government’s commitment to holistic development and prosperity in the fisheries sector.

The event witnessed the participation of Department of Fisheries officials, fish farmer producer organizations, entrepreneurs, fishermen cooperatives, and other relevant stakeholders, reflecting the collective effort towards the growth and welfare of the fisheries sector.

The Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Central Excise and Customs, Bhopal Zone, organised an All Chief Commissioners’ Conference on Customs matters at Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on 15-16 February, 2024. Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), presided over Chief Commissioners Conference.

The conference was attended by Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs); Smt Aruna Narayan Gupta, Member (IT & Taxpayer Services); Pr. DG, DRI, Shri Mohan Kumar Singh; Pr. Chief /Chief Commissioners of Customs Zones and Pr. DG/DGs of Directorates of CBIC; officers from CBIC and other departments including Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) ; Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) ; Central Drugs Control Organisation (CDSCO) ; Wildlife Control Crime Bureau (WCCB) ; GST Network (GSTN); and Plant Quarantine etc.

This conference provided a platform for discussion and analysis of Customs functioning and further requirements of business process simplification, automation, infrastructure towards the India’s vision of 2047. The Indian Customs is involved in collection of approx. Rs. 2.13 lakh crore in FY 2022-23 (apart from IGST duties on import) and seizure of contraband goods of value of more than Rs. 6,000 crore and discharges critical border control functions.

In his keynote address, CBIC Chairman highlighted the need for standardisation of processes and to adopt the way of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform’ in all our activities to achieve efficiency.

In his address, Member (Customs) highlighted the key initiatives taken by the Customs and the need to take steps to align with the changing trade scenarios and global developments. DG, DRI, emphasised on the essentiality of intelligence in trade facilitation and for economic and environmental security.

The theme of the first day of conference centered around ‘Enhancing Customs Efficiency’ involving sessions on performance improvement, customs clearance processes, smart infrastructure requirements of Customs and Human Resources related issues.

The Customs is manning around 320 Ports, which includes 33 International Airports/Air Cargo Complex, 63 Seaports, 126 ICDs, 11 International Railway stations and 28 Foreign Post Office (FPO). It also processes more than 1.30 crore of declarations in a year and may exponentially increase in the coming years. Through the use of risk-based clearance process, more than 82%, import consignments get expedited clearance which reduce dwell time and cost for EXIM stakeholders. The matters deliberated includes digitisation of remote Land Customs Stations (LCS), the use of modern equipment, functioning of K9 units (Dog Squad), Track and Trace Units in Customs for enhancing efficiency. The appropriate changes in Human Resources and upskilling to complement the same was also felt during the discussions.

Day two of the conference centered around ‘Ease of Compliance’ in Customs functions which included sessions on Technology, Customs engagement with different Government Departments, process simplification for the Trade etc. The matters discussed include use of AI and other technology needs in customs functioning and have transformative approach in Customs automation. The issues related to process standardisation, improved grievance redressal and logistics improvements which can support the trade facilitation were also discussed.

CBIC Chairman acknowledged and appreciated the work done by the Indian Customs across the country and further suggested the need to scope for upgradation in infrastructure.

In his valedictory address, CBIC Chairman congratulated the Bhopal Zone for organising the conference where various technical matters, valuation and classification anomalies, enabling new technology and AI for fast delivery of services, supply chain and utilisation of potential of officers and upgradation of Infrastructure and skills of staff were deliberated upon.

CBIC Chairman also thanked all the participants for attending the conference and offering their suggestions. Member Customs indicated the need for adopting innovative approaches and leveraging the talent pool of young minds to find solutions.

Member (IT) emphasised the seamless linkage between processes and technology for enhanced trade facilitation. At the end, Shri C.P. Goyal, Chief Commissioner, Bhopal, thanked all the participants for attending the conference and making it a success.

Earlier, Shri Chandra Prakash Goyal, Chief Commissioner, Bhopal Zone, welcomed all the dignitaries and participants of the two-day conference.

Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Chairman of the High Level Committee (HLC) on One Nation One Election, and its members namely Shri N. K. Singh, Dr. Subhash Kashyap and Shri Sanjay Kothari today continued their interactions with political parties and stakeholders. A delegation of Janata Dal (United) comprising Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. Member of Parliament & leader of the Parliamentary party and Shri Sanjay Kumar Jha, General Secretary, interacted with the HLC members and presented a memorandum in support of holding simultaneous elections.

In their memorandum they inter alia stated that “…Simultaneous elections could reduce the financial burden associated with the frequent elections, as campaigning, logistics and security measures would be consolidated. Synchronised elections might lead to more stable and continuous policy implementation…”.

Another delegation from Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad comprising of Shri Shrihari Borikar, Dr. Seema Singh, Adv. Jivesh Tiwari, Adv. Bhaskar Gautam, Adv. Apoorva Singh and Shri Jamtani Singh also made a presentation before the HLC in which they indicated their support for simultaneous elections.