GST implementation team won PMs award for Excellence in Public Administration

(Vanaja N. Sarna)

Chairman

DO.No.17/CH(EC)/2018

Dear Colleagues,

I am very proud to inform that Team GST comprising officers of the CBIC and the States have won the Prime Ministers award for Excellence in Public Administration this year. My heartfelt congratulations to all the recipients of this award. However, I must convey that this award belongs to all the officers and staff of this Department who worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth roll out of GST. I would like to place on record my deep sense of appreciation to all the officers of DG Systems, GST Policy wing, TRU, Customs, DG TPS and all field formations whose phenomenal contribution gave CBIC this award. My sincerest thanks to the entire department whose tireless work has brought us this glorious award. With this kind of effort we will undoubtedly reach many more heights.

I am happy to inform that the ACC has approved the empanelment of officers for promotion to the grade of Pr CC/Pr DG in the apex scale. We will be issuing necessary orders shortly.

The review cum regular DPC for the promotion to the grade of AC for the vacancy years 1997-98 to 2001-2002 has been conducted in UPSC this week. I shall keep you informed of further developments in this regard.

I am delighted to inform that the e-way bill system is working smoothly. Number of e-way bills generated in these past twenty six days has touched almost two crore fifty lakh. Similarly, e-way bill system for intra-State movement have now been introduced in seventeen states / union territories. It has been observed that some states have provided exemption by exercising the powers provided under rule 138(14) of the State GST Rules, 2017 and there is heterogeneity in the type of exemptions given by different states, for example, some states have given exemption linked to the value of goods whereas some have given in respect of certain commodities. Hence, I would urge the Chief Commissioners of concerned zones to publicise the said exemptions in their states. This will help in avoiding any confusion arising out of the same. I once again emphasise that the need of the hour is to guide tax payers in generating these e-way bills.

As you are aware. Information Technology has become the platform on which all our activities are based. In this context I would like to underscore the importance of adhering to Information Security best practices in respect of locally procured standalone computers being used by the field formations. Several instances have been reported where unprotected desktops were connected to the internet resulting in data pilferage to command and control centres located abroad and controlled by unknown, possibly malicious entities. I urge all CCs/DGs to take concrete steps to spread cyber security awareness in all formations under their charge. While DG Systems is responsible for information security of central applications, the responsibility in respect of locally procured and implemented systems rests with field formations. Even in case of centrally implemented networks and LAN, the physical and environmental security should be ensured by the field formations.

With a deep sense of remorse I am to inform of the sad demise of two of our service officers, Shri J. Ramakrishnan and Shri S.K.S Somvanshi. Shri J. Ramakrishnan belonged to the 1963 batch of our service and retired as Principal Collector of combined AP and Karnataka zones. Shri Somvanshi belonged to the 1978 batch and superannuated as Chief Commissioner of Bhopal Zone. We held a condolence meeting in the Board and Condolence messages have been sent to the bereaved families on behalf of the department. May god give strength and fortitude to the bereaved families to tide over this irreparable loss.

This week Members and officers posted in the Board bid farewell to Shri Bijoy Kumar and Shri Arvind Singh. Shri Arvind Singh, Pr. Chief Commissioner Kolkata Zone superannuates this month and Shri Bijoy Kumar currently posted as Member in National Anti-Profiteering Authority is joining CESTAT as Member. On behalf of all the officers and staff of the department I wish both the officers and their families best of happiness and health and a fruitful tenure in the new charge.

I am happy to inform that as part of the Swachchata Action Plan the GST Hyderabad Commissionerate has installed a 40 KW “Grid-connected Rooftop Solar PV Power Plant” on the terrace of the GST Bhavan, Hyderabad, which was inaugurated by the Chief Commissioner GST and Customs, Hyderabad Zone My heartiest congratulations to all the officers and staff of Hyderabad GST Commissionerate for this endeavour.

The projects undertaken by the Zones under the Swachchata Action Plan and submitted to DGHRD have been examined and we will finalize the same shortly for the awards.

With Warm Wishes

Yours sincerely,

(Vanaja N. Sarna)

To,

All officers and staff of Central Board of Excise and Customs