Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
North Block, New Delhi- 110001
Tel.: +91-11-23092849, Fax : +91-11-23092890
E-mail: chmn-cbec@nic.in
Vanaja. N. Sarna
Chairman
DO. No. 35/CH(EC)/2017
Dated: 10th November, 2017
Dear Colleagues,
As you are aware, the 23rd GST Council Meeting was held in Guwahati on 9th– 10th November 2017. Decisions taken in this meeting will be available through press releases by late evening of 10th November and through notifications, circulars etc. soon thereafter.
The Central Board of Excise & Customs is deeply committed to the promotion of probity and accountability. Therefore, it is heartening to note that CBEC observed the Vigilance Awareness Week from 30th October to 04th November with due earnestness by our field formations and with guidance from our Directorate of Vigilance. The CBEC & its officers & Staff across the country took the integrity pledge/e-pledge and a large number & variety of activities were organized during this period. Apart from outreach programmes in schools, colleges and gram sabhas, citizen/customer- centric outreach programmes and grievance redressal camps were organized. Lectures & seminars were held which were addressed by a plethora of eminent speakers. At Delhi & Mumbai, Hon’ble Vigilance Commissioner Sh. T.M. Bhasin himself addressed the officers. He encouraged and motivated them to make greater efforts for maintaining the highest level of ethics & morals & realizing the vision of a corruption-free India. A number of walkathons/ marathons were organized at various centers which had a salutary effect in promoting public awareness and participation in eradicating corruption. While commending the efforts made, I would exhort you to not limit these activities to the Vigilance Awareness Week alone, but to continue to reinforce the ideals of probity and integrity assiduously and continuously.
In line with trade facilitation initiatives, Hyderabad Zone has launched a Toll Free Helpline to enable members of the trade to seek clarification on GST related issues. The Board has been, through video conferences, indicating the need to focus our outreach programmes not only to trade but also now, towards consumers. CGST Commissionerate, Guwahati had organized a consumer awareness rally which was very well received by all concerned. It is heartening that various formations have gone out of their way to organize walkathons, marathons and various programmes involving stakeholders for the Swachchata Abhiyan, GST outreach and Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. It is these organised efforts that bring out the true purpose and essence of the department. It brings all the stakeholders closer to the common goal. My heartfelt gratitude to all the officers and staff of all field formations who have engaged in all these activities and I am proud of the innovative way each formation engages itself in such an endeavor. Do continue with this good work.
At the cost of being repetitive, I would like to request you all to continue vigorously with the GST outreach programmes. Consequent to the GST Council meeting, the stakeholders need to be updated on any decision taken. Therefore, I would like rigorous efforts to be made under your personal supervision to disseminate clear and updated information to both the officers and staff of the department and the stakeholders. The finalization of division of taxpayers is in progress and being monitored closely by Member, GST. Kindly ensure that this exercise is completed at the earliest.
While in Guwahati for the GST Council Meeting, I had the opportunity to visit the Guwahati Commissionerate and spend time with officers & staff, saw their GST Sewa Kendras at work and obtained inputs on GST implementation issues.
For your information, Shri Debi Prasad Dash, DG, DRI has been nominated as India’s official candidate for the post of Deputy Secretary General in the World Customs Organization (WCO). The election is scheduled for the 14th -15th December, 2017 at WCO Headquarter Brussels.
On behalf of CBEC, I welcome Dr. John Joseph who has joined the Board as Member on 6th November 2017. His vast experience will go a long way in enriching the working of the Board.
This week brought with it an irreparable loss to the department which is beyond comprehension. With deep anguish, I inform the untimely demise of Shri B.S. Nunwal, a 1992 batch officer posted in Mumbai as ADG, DG, Audit and Shri R.K. Mishra, a 1991 batch officer posted as ADC, Kolkata CGST, Appeal -1. I would like to express my gratitude to the departmental officers available at these places who immediately provided the support required by the families of these officers. The whole department is in grief and our thoughts and prayers are with both the families in this hour of unsurmountable tragedy.
With warm wishes,
Yours sincerely,
(Vanaja N. Sarna)
To,
All officers and staff of Central Board of Excise and Customs
