New Delhi, July 04: On the request of exporters, the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has extended the drive to release duty drawback till July 31 from the earlier deadline of June 18, in order to achieve 100 per cent settlement of claims. Every year, the Customs Department organise an "All India Drawback Clearance Month" for the benefit of exporters to ensure release of duty drawback worth crore of rupees during the drive.

This year, CBEC observed the arrear clearance month to liquidate the pendency of drawback claims from May 19 to June 18, with the cooperation of Delhi Exporters Association (DEA).
Although the last date for the drive expired last month, the government extended the drive till July 31 in a meeting attended by CBEC chairman A K Singh along with other senior tax officials, a release from DEA said.
Exporters received drawback worth Rs 1,200 crore last year, as against Rs 1,000 crore in 2001. The amount was Rs 750 crore in 2000 and Rs 500 crore in 1999.
Exporters have already received drawback worth Rs 500 crore this year. Bureau Report