Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, the newly appointed Chairman of CBIC, shares his thoughts and vision in the weekly newsletter dated 7th August 2023. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and technology in ensuring a responsive indirect tax administration, along with acknowledging the vital role played by CBIC in nation-building.
Analysis: Chairman Agarwal underlines the need for adopting global best practices to reduce compliance burdens, simplify taxation, and incentivize honest taxpayers. He pledges to focus on priority areas and solicits the cooperation and support of Team CBIC in achieving these goals. The Chairman commends the excellent work of CBIC’s Directorates and field offices, citing examples of recent successes in anti-smuggling efforts and enforcement actions against illegal activities.
Agarwal’s message reflects CBIC’s commitment to revenue collection, swift clearance of goods at borders, and robust enforcement measures. The Chairman envisions a culture of integrity and transparency, fostering unity and hard work among CBIC’s officers and staff.
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Weekly newsletter from Chairman, CBIC dated 07/08/2023
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
New Delhi
01/News Letter/CH(IC)/2023 Dated: 7th August, 2023
Dear Colleague
I hope this message finds you all in good health. Today is a special day for me as I take charge as the Chairman, CBIC. I have received your wishes throughout the weekend for which I am immensely grateful. Your compliments not only resonates the faith bestowed upon me by the CBIC family, but also fills me with a profound sense of responsibility. I consider it an honour and privilege to lead the service which has played a crucial role in nation building.
Times are changing fast and adaptation is the only means to stay relevant. My colleagues in the Board and I are committed to strive towards a responsive indirect tax administration by way of innovation and technology upgradation. There is a need for adopting best global practices to reduce compliance burden, simplify taxation and incentivizing the honest taxpayers. I shall endeavour to keep my attention focused on the priority areas. I would solicit the cooperation and support of Team CBIC in this effort.
I am fully aware that our Directorates and field offices have been doing wonderful job and in the most professional manner. On the Anti-Smuggling front, last week, officers at the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) foiled an attempt to smuggle 306 live exotic animals into India in contravention of Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at Air Cargo Mumbai. Further, DRI, in Chennai, seized around 20.5 Kgs of Gold, totally valued around Rs. 12.5 Crore. Such detections give a clear message that our officers remain vigilant against illegal activities.
I am joining at a juncture when the actions of CBIC towards revenue collection, faster clearances of goods at our borders and enforcement actions to curb smuggling, fake billing, etc. have been widely acknowledged. We shall continue to work hard and foster a culture of integrity and transparency.
I firmly believe that together, we can achieve great things. Together, we will face challenges head-on, identify opportunities for improvement, and strive to streamline processes, and I am sure we will succeed! Let us march forward with determination, dedication, and the spirit of public service.
In the coming days, I look forward to engage with you to better understand your aspirations, challenges, and the areas where we can collectively make a difference. I am confident that we will deliver on the objectives given to us by the Government.
As I close, I would also like to take this moment to bid farewell to Shri Vivek Johri, former Chairman, CBIC and wish him a happy retired life. We all are indebted to his invaluable guidance and strategic wisdom. I also extend my heartfelt best wishes to Smt. Suchitra Sharma, Smt. Neeta Lall Butalia, Dr. Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal and Shri D. Purushottam on their superannuation and wish them all the best in all future endeavours.
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman)
All Officers and Staff of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
