Ministries asked to set up GST Facilitation Cell

The government on Tuesday asked all ministries to set up a GST Facilitation Cell each to help industry and business associations for a smooth GST roll out from July 1.

Cabinet secretary P K Sinha in a letter to the secretaries of the different ministries/departments said the GST Facilitation Cell in each ministry could be managed by a small core team headed by economic adviser or any other designated officer of the respective ministry/department.

He said while the department of revenue in the ministry of finance is making the helplines operational for any individual taxpayer to seek resolution of any legal or IT related issues, the GST facilitation cell could serve as the first point of contact for addressing any issue being faced by any business or industrial sector.

Sinha also asked the secretaries to ensure that all public sector units under the administrative control of various ministries are GST Compliant before July 1. The secretaries have been asked to hold meetings with the heads of the PSUs in order to sensitise them towards GST rollout.

The cabinet secretary also asked each PSU to constitute a GST cell fully equipped with the knowledge of all the relevant GST Act, rules and rate structure.

Earlier, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia had written to the secretaries of various ministries to increase GST awareness to PSUs working under them.

Adhia had also mentioned that the new scheme of tax administration will have an impact on the work of various ministries/departments including PSUs and other autonomous bodies who are involved in the economic activity in one way or the other.

The National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) has been mandated to conduct GST training for the officers and representatives of trade and industry.