GST Refund amounting Rs. 2,800 cr given to Taxpayers in Mumbai Metropolitan Region during lockdown: Mumbai Zone Celebrates 3rd GST Day

The GST Day, to commemorate the anniversary of the introduction of the historic indirect tax reform in line with the dream of One Nation One Tax One Market has been celebrated across the country today. In Mumbai, the celebration was held at the Office of Principal Chief Commissioner, CGST & Central Excise Mumbai Zone.

The event was attended by Shri Vivek Johri, Principal Chief Commissioner, Mumbai Customs Zone I; Shri Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Principal Chief Commissioner CGST & CX Mumbai Zone; Smt. Rama Matthew, Director General, DGGI, and Chief Commissioner Mumbai Customs Zone III. Principal Commissioners, Commissioners of CGST & Central Excise Mumbai Zone, other officers of the department, State GST officers, and industry representatives, joined the function through the Webex platform.

At the outset, Principal Chief Commissioner, Mumbai Zone, Shri Rakesh Kumar Sharma welcomed the officers and members of the trade fraternity, who were present and had joined through the Webex platform. He highlighted some of the achievements of the CGST Mumbai zone. In the fiscal year ending March 2020, there was GST revenue collections of Rs. 58,799 crore which was Rs. 5,741 crore or 11% more than the previous year. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is the worst hit by the pandemic Covid-19 has affected the economic activities.

However, efforts have been made by the officers to alleviate the suffering of taxpayers. By providing remote access to all officers, nearly 4,938 refund applications amounting to Rs. 2,793 crore have been processed, which has injected the much-needed liquidity in the economy. Further, 20,478 Sabka Vishwas – (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme applications have also been processed to address legacy issues. More than 6,000 registration applications have also been processed during the period of the lockdown. Further grievances of the taxpayers have been addressed on an urgent basis even during the lockdown period.

Director-General DGGI and Chief Commissioner Mumbai Customs Zone III, Smt. Rama Matthew emphasized on the importance of co-operation with the State Government in a federal set up to implement GST. She also commended the efforts of all officers who are diligently performing their duties despite the hardships being faced.

The Chief Guest of the function, Principal Chief Commissioner Mumbai Customs Zone I, Shri Vivek Johri emphasized the need to develop metrics that can help measure the performance of GST like the Time Release Study used in Customs Formations. He encouraged officers in the field to use data analytics and engage in writing research papers to better inform future policies.

Further, Certificates of Appreciation were also distributed to the following officers for rendering dedicated and meritorious service, and promoting excellence in the working of the department.