Introduction: The weekly newsletter from the Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), dated 01/04/2024, presents a comprehensive overview of recent achievements, initiatives, and developments within the department.
Detailed Analysis:
1. Exceeding Tax Collection Targets: The newsletter begins on a positive note, highlighting the remarkable performance of indirect tax collections for the financial year 2023-24. The collections, including Customs and Union Excise Duty, have surpassed the Revised Estimates, showcasing a commendable achievement by the CBIC family. Notably, GST collections for March reached Z1.78 lakh crore, marking a significant year-on-year growth of 11.5%. The Gross GST collections for FY 2023-24 stood at Rs. 20.18 lakh crore, surpassing the previous year’s figures by an impressive 11.7%. This success reflects the dedication and hard work of the CBIC community.
2. Guidelines for CGST Field Formations: A crucial step towards Ease of Doing Business, the newsletter discusses the issuance of guidelines for CGST field formations during investigations. These guidelines aim to streamline investigation processes and establish a Grievance Officer for redressing grievances of regular taxpayers. It emphasizes the importance of adherence to these guidelines by CGST field formations.
3. Inauguration of Metals Ores Testing Lab: The newsletter highlights the inauguration of a new metals ores testing lab at the Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, this lab enhances CRCL’s testing capabilities as per World Customs Organization (WCO) guidelines.
4. Successful Anti-Smuggling Operation: The newsletter recounts a successful anti-smuggling operation conducted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Kolkata Zonal Unit. Through specific intelligence and diligent examination, the officers seized 200.76 MT of Betel Nuts valued at approximately Rs. 10.52 Crore. The operation underscores CBIC’s commitment to combat smuggling activities.
5. Farewell to a Colleague: The newsletter bids farewell to Sh. U. Niranjan, a senior colleague and outstanding officer of the 1991 Batch. It acknowledges his valuable contributions to the department and extends best wishes for his future endeavors.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the newsletter reflects on the recent achievements and initiatives of the CBIC community. It celebrates the success in tax collections, emphasizes the importance of adherence to guidelines, showcases advancements in testing facilities, and highlights the dedication to combat smuggling activities. Furthermore, it acknowledges the contributions of a senior colleague, reinforcing the sense of camaraderie within the department.
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Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 14/News Letter/CH(IC)/2024 Dated: 01st April, 2024
Dear Colleague,
I am happy to inform that the Indirect Tax collections for the Financial Year 2023-24 including Customs and Union Excise Duty have exceeded the Revised Estimates by a handsome margin. The year ending collection figures of GST for the month of March also showed encouraging performance with the second highest collection ever at Z1.78 lakh crore and posting a 11.5% year-on-year growth. The Gross GST collections for the FY 2023-24 also mark a milestone with collection of Rs. 20.18 lakh crore exceeding the previous year collections by an impressive 11.7%. Congratulations to the entire CBIC family on the remarkable performance. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment have truly paid off, showcasing CBIC’s versatility in navigating challenges and achieving remarkable results. This achievement not only reflects professionalism but also underscores the strength of teamwork and perseverance within the CBIC community. Your relentless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every member for their invaluable contributions throughout the year.
Going forward, let us draw inspiration from the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita which teaches us, “Perform your obligatory duty, because action is indeed better than inaction”. This verse reminds us of the importance of diligently carrying out our responsibilities. As we, karmayogis, march on the path of dedication, integrity, and excellence, I am confident that together, we will continue to achieve new heights of success in the new Financial Year.
In an important step towards Ease of Doing Business, Guidelines for CGST field formations while engaging in investigation were issued last week. In addition to streamlining various processes during investigation such as initiation of investigation, seeking information/documents, apprising senior officers of the developments, timely conclusion, etc. the Guidelines also seeks to establish a Grievance Officer for appropriate redressal of the grievances of regular taxpayers related to an ongoing investigation. Needless to say, the Guidelines should be followed in letter and spirit by the CGST field formations.
Last week, I along with Member (Customs), inaugurated the new metals ores testing Lab at Central Revenues Control Laboratory (CRCL), New Delhi. The new Laboratory is equipped with requisite facilities for analysis as per WCO guidelines and will enhance the testing capabilities of CRCL immensely.
On the basis of specific intelligence regarding smuggling of Betel Nuts into India by way of mis-declaration, the officers of DRI Kolkata Zonal Unit kept watch on two containers which had arrived at Kolkata Port and were meant to be transhipped to ICD Durgapur. The goods in these containers were declared as Raw Cashew Nuts. However, on detailed examination, it was revealed that the containers were stuffed with bags containing Betel Nuts behind Raw Cashew Nuts of extremely inferior quality. Thereafter, based on data analytics and further leads gathered by officers of DRI, six more containers which had arrived at Kolkata Port were identified which on detailed examination revealed that the front of these containers were stacked with Dry Dates of extremely inferior quality while at the back, the containers were found to be stuffed with bags containing Betel Nuts. Altogether, 200.76 MT of Betel Nuts having approximate value of Rs. 10.52 Crore were seized and one person complicit in the smuggling was arrested. Outstanding work!
Last week saw us bid farewell to one of our senior colleague and outstanding officer, Sh. U. Niranjan, an officer of the 1991 Batch. On behalf of the Department and myself, I thank you for your valuable contribution to the Department over the years and wish you all the very best for your second innings. May good health and happiness be at your side always!
Until next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs.
