With three days to go for the much awaited and the biggest indirect tax reform in the history of India, the Government is taking all the possible measures to make aware the tax payers about the new tax regime.
GST seeks to replace multiple state taxes such as value-added tax, purchase tax, entertainment tax and central taxes including central excise duty, countervailing duty, service tax and a number of cesses by a single levy to create a seamless national market. The move is expected to increase efficiency and boost growth.
Sources said that a special war room has been created to address the issues and queries. Reportedly, it will operate from eight in the morning to 10 in the evening, providing a single window for the resolution of any GST-related issue.
The GST Feedback and Action Room set up by the Central Board of Excise and Customs is keeping a close watch to ensure all processes are in place for a smooth rollout. The war room has been kitted out with state-of-the-art communications equipment with experts on hand to ensure that any technology-related concerns are also addressed.
The war room is a key element in the government’s GST launch effort that’s being backed up by an army of officials in the field and in ministries and departments. Every ministry and department has created GST cells dedicated to the sectors they deal with.
The customs department has begun dry runs at ports. Exporters and traders will start filing bills of entry and shipping in the new format aligned with the GST framework starting Wednesday.
The GST Council has already allowed a relaxation of two months in filing returns. CBEC is meanwhile keeping a close watch on the migration of existing taxpayers to the GST Network that began on June 25. Most of this process is over with the rest expected to register this week.
Field officials have been directed to assist taxpayers and businesses not just with migration but also if they need clarifications with regard to aspects of the tax or its implementation.
Except Jammu and Kashmir, all states have the legislative framework in place for implementation of GST.
