Scam Central (Update)

Corrupt customs officials in Gujarat set up an unofficial single-window clearance system and printed a regular bribe rate card to speed importers and exporters through the channels of red tape — if they were willing to grease the wheels by greasing a few palms, the Times of India reports.

That's the kind of efficiency that the business lobby and reformers in the government have been pushing for years. But it seems that efficiency comes the fastest when motivated by self-interest.

According to CBI allegations, the exporters and importers paid steep bribes, but saved even more — tens of millions of rupees in customs duty, the paper says.

"Around 30 premises, including residences of 11 customs officials and offices of Mumbai-based custom house agent (CHA) Khimji Poonja Freight Forwarder Pvt Ltd were surveyed by CBI on Tuesday. CBI later filed graft complaints against seven officials and three employees of CHA," TOI reported.