Rahul Sahai Chair PHDCCI Jammu Addressing the august gathering as a Panellist in GST Week Celebration

Rahul Sahai, Chair PHDCCI Jammu participated as an esteemed panellist in the GST Week celebrated by State Tax Department Jammu. State Tax department started its GST Week Celebration by organising a Panel Discussion on GST today at Convention Centre Jammu.

Dr Rashmi Singh, Commissioner State taxes was the Chief Guest of the occasion. Mrs Namrata Dogra, Additional Commissioner State Taxes (Administration & Enforcement) welcomed all the Panellists and the participants. She gave a detailed presentation on the GST and its Collections from the state. 

Dr Rashmi Singh in her Keynote address appreciated the growth of GST Collections from the region and said that its due to joint efforts of the department and taxpayers. She said there is need to create more awareness regarding the GST and her department is always ready to take with the issues of the tax payers with concerned authorities.

Rahul Sahai in his address congratulated the Commissioner, on completion of successful 6 years of GST. He shared that PHDCCI had conducted several awareness programmes to educate people that GST is a progressive Tax and we must be part of it when it has to be implemented in 2017 and our state was not ready for it . 

Sahai said that PHDCCI will prepare flyers related to GST, its issues and solutions and will circulate on social media to generate more awareness amongst the dealers as they are dependent on Accounts etc . 

Sahai suggested giving recognition or felicitating those dealers who are paying their taxes on time, filing returns regularly. This will create more sense of belongingness amongst them.

Speaking about GST Rahul Sahai said that GST has revolutionized the way indirect taxes are collected from businesses in India. It has made the movement of goods across state borders seamless, simplifying taxation for interstate trade. The filing of returns and registrations has been shifted to the online platform known as GSTN, ensuring convenience and efficient communication between taxpayers and the tax administration.

He said that The GST Council has met 49 times in a span of six years, which shows the Government’s commitment to resolve the impending issues and co-operative federalism approach, which is indeed laudable.

Rahul Sahai Said that the growth in the GST revenues on a year on year basis only shows better compliance behavior amongst the industry. Decriminalization of certain type of offences under GST, reduction in the amount to be paid for compounding of offences will only add to the confidence of industry and promote voluntary compliance.

 He further added that there is however, a need for a balanced approach to the GST legislation, considering India’s unique economic landscape and the role of cash transactions in the economy.

Rahul Sahai emphasized that it’s been six years since GST was implemented w.e.f. 1st July 2017, however, GST Appellate Tribunal is yet to be formed. The absence of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) has led to a huge pile-up of cases. The GSTAT should be digitally equipped and the facility of filing e-appeals must be provided.

Speaking about the issues Rahul Sahai said that numerous issues are still faced in the availment of Input Tax credit, issues emanate under reverse charge mechanism, divergent rulings by different courts in different states, multiplicity of proceedings by multiple agencies are adding to the compliance issues faced by industry. The E-way Bill system under GST has faced several issues, including technical glitches and delays in generating the bills. The delay in generating the E-way Bill has resulted in the detention of goods and increased compliance costs for businesses.

In his closing remarks Sahai said that PHDCCI has always been emphasizing its members to follow voluntary tax compliance for nation building. We will continue to educate our members on the Government policies and would like to work closely and in making the tax department approachable by every citizen of the country and this will happen with your support.

PHDCCI will continue to provide its support, like it had been doing during the last so many years, and promote participation of every stakeholder in growth and development of the nation and in spreading awareness on the Government Schemes & Policies not only on GST but other aspects of tax administration.

Other speakers of the panel discussion were, Dr Reva Sharma, Director IMPA, Prof. Manoj Aggarwal from IIT Jammu, Mr Varun Soni Deputy Director NAICIN, Mr B S Khara, Asst. Director NAICIN.

From the Taxation department Mrs Ankita Kar, Additional Commissioner State Taxes, Mr Amit Sharma Joint Commissioner  CGST, and Mr Shakeel Additional Commissioner State Taxes also addressed the participants. 

Vote of thanks was given by Mrs Manpreet Kour Assistant Commissioner State Taxes Department.