Union Budget 2025-26 focuses on trade facilitation, ease of doing business, and domestic manufacturing. The Finance Minister emphasized rationalizing the Customs Tariff structure to address duty inversion, promote exports, and support value addition. CBIC officers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these changes, including the introduction of a time limit for finalizing provisional assessments, enhancing certainty for businesses. A CBIC FAQ document has been released to clarify indirect tax proposals.
GST collections for January 2025 reached ₹1.95 lakh crore, the second-highest ever, reflecting 12.3% year-on-year growth. This increase highlights India’s economic momentum, improved tax compliance, and expanding formal economy.
Additionally, CBIC’s anti-smuggling operation in Assam led to the seizure of 12 kg of methamphetamine worth ₹12 crore. The operation, conducted jointly by CCP Shillong HQ and CPF Silchar, intercepted narcotics concealed in vehicles traveling from Manipur to Assam. This reinforces CBIC’s commitment to national security and anti-smuggling efforts.
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Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 03rd February, 2025
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
03rd February, 2025
DO No. 05/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025
Dear Colleague,
The Union Budget 2025-26 set the tone for furthering trade facilitation, ease of doing business, and domestic manufacturing. In her speech, the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister categorically mentioned, “My proposals relating to Customs aim to rationalize tariff structure and address duty inversion. These will also support domestic manufacturing and value addition, promote exports, facilitate trade and provide relief to common people.”
Officers across the CBIC must familiarize themselves with the changes proposed in the Union Budget, particularly the rationalization of the Customs Tariff structure and measures aimed at promoting exports, facilitating trade, enhancing voluntary compliance, and supporting domestic manufacturing and value addition. Notably, in a significant step towards ease of doing business, it has been proposed to set a time limit of two years, extendable by one year, for finalizing provisional assessments. This much-needed reform will provide greater certainty to the trade. The vision of Viksit Bharat is deeply embedded in these announcements, setting the course for a progressive and forward-looking India. To better understand the proposals on indirect taxes, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document has also been released by CBIC.
Another good news on the heels of the Union Budget is on the front of GST collections! For the month of January 2025, the gross GST revenue figures have surged to an impressive Rs. 1.95 lakh crore, making it the second-highest ever and registering a robust year-on-year growth of 12.3%. This strong revenue performance reflects the sustained momentum of India’s economic growth, improved compliance, and buoyant business activity. The healthy GST collections highlight the expanding formal economy and the effectiveness of policy measures aimed at streamlining the indirect tax regime.
Before I conclude, I would like to highlight a major anti-smuggling operation by the CCP Shillong HQ Preventive unit, in coordination with CPF Silchar. In the joint operation, the officers successfully intercepted a narcotics smuggling attempt at Rangirkhari Point on Son ai-Silchar Road, Assam. Acting on specific intelligence, officers stopped two Scooties traveling from Churachandpur, Manipur, to Silchar, Assam. A thorough search led to the discovery of six polythene-wrapped packages deeply concealed inside each Scooty. Upon testing with the NDPS Field Test Kit, the contents (orange tablets) were confirmed to contain methamphetamine. The contraband, weighing 12 kg and valued at approximately Rs. 12 crore in the international grey market, was seized along with the vehicles. This successful operation highlights CBIC’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and safeguarding national security. Congratulations to the team for precisely executed action!!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs.
