Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Tel. : +91-11-23092849, Fax : +91-11-23092890
E-mail : chmn-cbec@nic.in
DO.No.28/CH(EC)/2017
Dated 23rd September, 2017
Dear Colleagues,
It is indeed heartening that the strides made in trade facilitation measures on the Customs side are getting international acclaim. Setting up our Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee (CCFC) last year was an innovative approach towards resolving operational issues at ports. A case study on CCFC co-authored by Dr Kavita Bhatnagar Commissioner Customs General New Delhi and Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) won the Trade Facilitation Innovation Award at the Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum 2017 in Indonesia in September, 2017. The forum was jointly organized by ESCAP, ADB and Indonesia and attracted 30 countries.
The Bengaluru GST Zone has revamped its website to focus on GST. It has developed a GST jurisdiction Finder App which can be used by the tax payer to easily identify his/her jurisdictional Central Tax Office. This App provides a utility, leveraging the Google map function, to inform the tax payers the exact route to their Commissionerate office. This App also provides bus route numbers, metro connections, etc. to the taxpayer to conveniently reach his jurisdictional Central Tax Office. This website has been developed by the officers of the zone and NIC. I am happy so see such extra efforts being made by our own officers to come up with much needed ideas for assisting the taxpayers under the GST regime. These innovative ideas are a source of inspiration to everyone in this department. My congratulations to all the officers of Bengaluru GST Zone.
I have addressed a letter on Swachchta Hi Sewa- a nation-wide swachchta campaign-consisting of three components. I request you to undertake all the activities with full enthusiasm so as to make CBEC proud while showcasing the same. Also remember to share your reports with HRM-II, DGHRD by the 10th of October, 2017.
The Central Tax Delhi Zone has come up with an innovative idea of giving away Swachchata certificates every month to officers for maintaining high standards of cleanliness in their work place.
This is another step towards inculcating a sense of cleanliness in all of us in our surroundings.
I am sure that you are all aware that the period for submitting the declaration in FORM GST TRAN-1 has been extended till 31st October, 2017. You make like to inform the assessees and extend all possible assistance to them.
The minutes of the 2nd Rajaswa Gyan Sangam, 2017 has been uploaded in Antarang. You are requested to go through the same and take the required action.
A letter dated 15th September 2017 has been issued by Member (GST) regarding modalities for providing single interface to GST Taxpayer. Suitable notifications regarding cross-empowerment of State and Central Tax officers under CGST/IGST and SGST Acts respectively are being issued separately. However you are all requested to go through the letter carefully and difficulties, if any, in implementation of the instructions mentioned in the letter may please be brought to the notice of the Board.
I would also like to impress upon you to give personal attention to the replies sent to the PAC wing with respect to the objections of the C&AG. Off the cuff or casual replies without an adequate appreciation of the law or the objection should be avoided. Such replies place my colleagues and me in an awkward position when tendering oral evidence before the PAC. Henceforth,all replies should be sent promptly under the signature of the Commissioners.
Instructions have been issued vide letter dated 18th September 2017 regarding filing of Special Leave Petitions against orders of Hon’ble high Court staying collection of tax under GST. You are requested to follow the instructions as mentioned in the said letter.
At the risk of being repetitive, the GST outreach programmes are a must and should continue. I find from GST Manthan that these programmes, seminars, workshops have depleted over time. We must realize that to ensure continuous success in the functioning of GST, refresher training for officers and staff and awareness and outreach programmes for trade and consumers is absolutely essential. We need to be more focused now and address the current problematic issues and give clarity through these programmes. Also the MSME sector and cluster groups of trade should be given more attention.
I would also like all of you to sincerely go through the press releases and uploads that are available in our departmental website. This will help in getting updated information timely which will ensure prompt action from your side.
with warm wishes,
Yours sincerely,
(Vanaja N. Sarna)
To,
All officers and staff of Central Board of Excise and Customs
