The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) is transitioning to its new main office at Kartavya Bhawan – 01, aligning with the government’s plan for co-locating ministries to enhance inter-ministerial coordination and administrative efficiency. The new office, equipped with modern, IT-enabled infrastructure, aims to support CBIC’s mission for effective public service. Following the implementation of Next-Gen GST Reforms, the Union Minister of State (Finance) conducted ‘SAMVAD’ interactions with taxpayers, industry representatives, and professionals in Kanpur and Indore. These dialogues promoted collaborative tax administration and highlighted that the reforms are intended to create a more streamlined, transparent, and business-friendly tax system. Separately, the CBIC addressed a shortage of officers at the Assistant Commissioner level by promoting 944 Group ‘B’ officers to Group ‘A’ for the vacancy years 2024 and 2025. This action, which was delayed due to legal matters, provides necessary relief to field formations. Finally, the Board acknowledged the contributions of three retiring or departing officers: Shri Rajesh Sodhi, Shri Manoj K. Arora, and Shri Shaik Khader Rahman, who is moving to the GSTAT as Technical Member (Centre).
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
DO No. 40/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025 | Dated: 06th October, 2025
Dear Colleagues,
In a significant step aligned with the Government’s vision of modern, efficient, and citizen-centric administration, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) will soon be fully operational from its new address at Kartavya Bhawan – 01. The Board has already commenced holding meetings in the new building, marking the beginning of this important transition. The move forms part of the larger Government’s initiative to co-locate Ministries and Departments to enhance inter-ministerial coordination, streamline administrative processes, and foster collaborative, technology-driven governance. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, sustainable infrastructure, and IT-enabled workspaces, Kartavya Bhawan. – 01 will provide a modern and efficient work environment that will fulfil CBIC’s commitment to excellence in public service and responsive governance.
As part of the ongoing outreach following the implementation of Next-Gen GST Reforms Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Finance), engaged with taxpayers, industry bodies, and professionals in Kanpur and Indore. The interactions served as a vibrant platform for dialogue under the Government’s vision of collaborative tax administration. The CGST Kanpur Commissionerate organized ‘SAMVAD’, bringing together representatives from industry, trade, and tax professionals. Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble MoS emphasized that the reforms mark a major step towards a more streamlined, transparent, and business-friendly tax system that reduces the burden on consumers while promoting economic growth. In Indore, a similar interaction was organized by the CGST Bhopal Zone witnessing enthusiastic participation from over 200 taxpayers, including MSME and women entrepreneurs.
In recent times, the field formations had been facing an acute shortage of officers at the level of Assistant Commissioner. After a gap of nearly two years, the Board has now promoted 944 officers from Group B’ to Group ‘A’ against the vacancy years 2024 and 2025. Although the process had been delayed due to legal hurdles, the Board made concerted efforts to ensure that some of the officers due to retire in September received their long-awaited promotions before their superannuation! I congratulate all the officers on their well-deserved promotions and am confident that their postings will bring much-needed relief to the field formations.
Last week, CBIC bid farewell to Shri Rajesh Sodhi, Shri Manoj K. Arora, and Shri Shaik Khader Rahman – three outstanding officers who have served the Department with distinction. While Shri Sodhi and Shri Arora superannuated after long and illustrious careers, Shri Rahman has embarked on a new chapter as Technical Member (Centre) in the GSTAT. CBIC expresses its heartfelt gratitude for their invaluable contributions over the years and extends warm wishes for their future endeavours. May good health, happiness and success continue to accompany them in this next phase of life.
Till next week!
Yours sincerely,
(Sanjay Kumar Agarwal)
All Officers and Staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes 85 Customs.
06th October, 2025
DO No. 40/News Letter/CH(IC)/2025
Next-Gen GST Reforms has not exempted Cooperative Housing Societies from 18% GST on member’s contribution towards common expenses, even though it is held Unconstitutional by Kerala High Court. This is injustice to members who managed to own a home.