Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
North Block, New Delhi-110001
Tel. No +91-11-23092849, Fax +91-11-23092890
E-mail : ajit.m@gov.in
D.O.No.86/CH(IC)/2020
Date: 07th September 2021
Last week has been a special one for CBIC. The Hon’ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met and interacted with officers of CBIC both at Delhi on 31/08/2021 and at Bangalore on 05/09/2021. Her appreciation for our good work, during these meetings, was a huge morale booster.
The induction of Shri D.P. Nagendra Kumar, Shri Balesh Kumar and Shri Rajiv Talwar of the 1985, 1987 and 1988 batches, respectively, to the Board, taking it to its full strength, was another significant development. Each one brings with him vast and varied experience that will enrich and stand the Board in good stead. On behalf of the entire staff of CBIC and on my own behalf, I wish them all the best and welcome them to North Block.
The department has also witnessed a lot of activity on the Staff Welfare and Infrastructure front last week. Considering the wide ranging official activities of GST officers outside their work places, the need to augment the field level arrangements for vehicles had strongly been felt by the Board. The matter was taken up and I am very glad to inform that the Ministry has approved Board’s proposal for the hiring of 876 operational vehicles for the Commissionerate and Divisional offices of GST zones. This, it is felt, would help the field formations to carry out compliance functions with ease and better efficiency.
The Administrative approval and Expenditure sanction of about Rs. 74.80 crores for the construction of DRI (Hqrs), a prestigious project that has been pending for long, has been accorded by the Ministry. Further, financial assistance of about Rs. 4.31 lakh from the welfare fund has been sanctioned for setting up of a Canteen facility in the newly constructed building of Daman Commissionerate, Vapi.
The Governing Body of the Welfare Fund has approved the proposal for grant of ex-gratia financial assistance of Rs.1.20 crore to the families of 23 departmental employees who died in harness. Further, financial assistance to officials, for the portion of medical expenses which has not been reimbursed under CS(MA)/CGHS Rules, of about Rs. 16.50 lakh incurred by 22 officials, was also approved..
It is now time to turn our focus from welfare measures to our anti-evasion performance. Bhopal CGST Zone had launched a special drive against the mining companies that were not paying/paying lesser GST on consideration paid for licensing services and for royalties on reverse charge. The drive resulted in unearthing of evasion of almost Rs 250 crores in a fortnight. The modus operandi may be prevalent in other Zones on similar activities too. Therefore, the respective formations should keep up the vigil. In fake invoice cases, DGGI, Lucknow Zonal unit, made a case involving Rs. 40 crores by 22 GTINs. DGGI, Chandigarh Zonal Unit had a detection of Rs. 62 crores involving 13 GSTINs, while DGGI, Bangalore Zonal Unit, detected Rs. 13.45 crores of tax evasion and made a recovery of Rs. 15.93 crores tax, interest and penalty.
The action of all these formations deserves to be appreciated.
A few weeks back I had desired that the provisions of the recently amended Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962 be used to expedite the pre-trial disposal of seized gold. It has been informed that DRI, IZU, has made a beginning by requesting the concerned Commissioner (Appeals) for sanction under Section 110 (1D) of the Customs Act, 1962. He has certified the correctness of the seized inventory of gold and facilitated its disposal. Other field formations may also follow suit.
While releasing the IIRD’s Manual ‘Compendium of Welfare Schemes’, I had requested the Commissioners / ADGs to print and distribute the Manual to all officers of the department as a welfare measure, so that they and their families are aware of the schemes and can make the best benefit of it. I have now been informed by Ms. Sudha Koka, Commissioner, Chennai-South GST, that she has followed the request in letter and spirit. I am sure the staff would be appreciative of this gesture. Other Commissionerates may also take similar action.
Before signing off, on behalf of all officers and staff and on my personal behalf, I extend my best wishes for a happy and active life to Ms. Bharati S. Chavan, the then Principal Director General, Valuation, on her superannuation last month.
My hearty congratulations to Shri Sandeep, Tax Assistant from CGST Delhi Zone for having played in the spirit of the game and having finished 4th in the ‘Javelin throw’ event at the Tokyo, Paralympics Games 2020. The outstanding performance of our athletes, particularly in this event, both in the Olympics and Paralympics, has brought much cheer to all of us.
Your’ sincerely
Yours sincerely
(M. Ajit Kumar)
To,
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
