Customs Department on Thursday organised an outreach programme for authorised economic operators (AEO) on changes introduced on export refunds.

The programme was conducted in association with Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI).

Pranab Kumar Das, Member of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Jyotishi, Principal Chief Commissioner GST and Customs, Karnataka Zone, Borkar, Customs Commissioner, Sudkahar Shetty, President FKCCI were present.

"After the introduction of GST, refund for exporters has been a big issue. Since the department is short staffed, there has been a delay in clearing the files for refunds. One of the reasons for this was the mandatory submission of physical invoices," Nityananda, chairman of GST committee, FKCCI said.

"It is made online now. Every detail about the export available on the GST portal is used to clear files pending for the refund," Nityananda said.

"The officials informed that out of nearly 1,140 crore refunds claimed, already Rs 900 crore is cleared," Nityananda, chairman of GST committee, FKCCI said.