Trade Conference Highlights CRCL’s Role in Seamless Trade

14 Jul 2025 CW Team

Organised by the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the event marked the first of its kind, aiming to spotlight CRCL’s contributions and future direction in trade facilitation, scientific testing, and policy support. The inauguration was attended by Shri Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax Policy & Legal), CBIC, and Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), CBIC.

Shri Pankaj Chaudhary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a robust, efficient, and science-backed testing framework that enhances compliance, reduces delays, and promotes ease of doing business. Shri Vivek Ranjan emphasised CRCL’s pivotal role in revenue processes, while Shri Bhujabal outlined CRCL’s current trade facilitation measures and plans for further improvements in the sampling and testing ecosystem.

The inaugural session featured several key releases:

“Science at the Border” — a documentary on the evolution of Indian customs laboratories
The CRCL Coffee Table Book showcasing institutional milestones
A detailed CRCL Brochure outlining infrastructure and testing upgrades
A video on Standard Operating Procedures for sampling petroleum liquids

Over 400 delegates from the Department of Revenue, CBIC, partner government agencies (PGAs), trade bodies, and scientific institutions participated. Presentations from FSSAI, CDSCO, the Textile Committee, and Animal and Plant Quarantine authorities covered compliance and quality standards, furthering the conference’s objective of scientific integration with trade practices.

Mr V. Suresh, Director (Revenue Laboratories), delivered an overview of CRCL’s lab network and reforms. Interactive sessions enabled meaningful exchanges between trade representatives, regulatory bodies, and CRCL officials, fostering transparency, collaboration, and trust.

The conference concluded with several key outcomes:

Commitment to reduce testing time
Expansion and modernisation of laboratory infrastructure
Enhanced training and capacity building
Promotion of R&D and human resource strengthening
Formation of a core stakeholders’ group for ongoing collaboration

Established in 1939 in New Delhi, with roots tracing back to 1912, CRCL has grown into a scientific cornerstone of India’s customs and revenue ecosystem. Through its rigorous standards and scientific integrity, CRCL continues to support trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the Trade Facilitation Conference 2025 on the theme “Scientific Excellence for Seamless Trade” at the C. Subramaniam Auditorium, ICAR-NASC Complex, New Delhi.Organised by the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL) under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the event marked the first of its kind, aiming to spotlight CRCL’s contributions and future direction in trade facilitation, scientific testing, and policy support. The inauguration was attended by Shri Vivek Ranjan, Member (Tax Policy & Legal), CBIC, and Shri Surjit Bhujabal, Member (Customs), CBIC.Shri Pankaj Chaudhary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a robust, efficient, and science-backed testing framework that enhances compliance, reduces delays, and promotes ease of doing business. Shri Vivek Ranjan emphasised CRCL’s pivotal role in revenue processes, while Shri Bhujabal outlined CRCL’s current trade facilitation measures and plans for further improvements in the sampling and testing ecosystem.The inaugural session featured several key releases:“Science at the Border” — a documentary on the evolution of Indian customs laboratoriesThe CRCL Coffee Table Book showcasing institutional milestonesA detailed CRCL Brochure outlining infrastructure and testing upgradesA video on Standard Operating Procedures for sampling petroleum liquidsOver 400 delegates from the Department of Revenue, CBIC, partner government agencies (PGAs), trade bodies, and scientific institutions participated. Presentations from FSSAI, CDSCO, the Textile Committee, and Animal and Plant Quarantine authorities covered compliance and quality standards, furthering the conference’s objective of scientific integration with trade practices.Mr V. Suresh, Director (Revenue Laboratories), delivered an overview of CRCL’s lab network and reforms. Interactive sessions enabled meaningful exchanges between trade representatives, regulatory bodies, and CRCL officials, fostering transparency, collaboration, and trust.The conference concluded with several key outcomes:Commitment to reduce testing timeExpansion and modernisation of laboratory infrastructureEnhanced training and capacity buildingPromotion of R&D and human resource strengtheningFormation of a core stakeholders’ group for ongoing collaborationEstablished in 1939 in New Delhi, with roots tracing back to 1912, CRCL has grown into a scientific cornerstone of India’s customs and revenue ecosystem. Through its rigorous standards and scientific integrity, CRCL continues to support trade efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..