Customs Negligence in Gold Smuggling Should not Fall on State Shoulders: Kerala CM to Governor

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the Governor to ensure that the state is not held responsible for customs negligence in gold smuggling cases. The CM highlighted instances where customs officials failed to prevent gold smuggling, leading to significant seizures within the state. Vijayan argued that the responsibility for such lapses should lie with the customs department and not the state government. He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and accountability within the customs department to curb smuggling activities. The CM’s appeal aims to protect the state’s reputation and ensure that it is not unfairly blamed for federal enforcement failures.