They are also planning an indefinite countrywide strike from December 3 if there is no positive response from the government. The no work-no pay rule is likely to be applicable for the three-day strike and also in case of the indefinite strike.

While the work in all three departments is back to normal, the success of the strike is a much debated issue. While striking officials allege that the last three days have seen rampant smuggling, those on duty claim they have managed well. ``Everyone was being cleared through the green channel,'' says Ravi Malik, general secretary of the Customs and Central Excise Executive Officers Association. ``The men who were manning some of the posts were not qualified to do so.''

On the other hand, officials on duty say that everything was done by the book and claim that revenue collection has gone up and consignments were cleared faster.