Ministries must set up GST facilitation Cells: Cabinet Sec Sinha

New Delhi, June 7 (KNN) With less than a month remaining for the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the Prime Minister recently reviewed the status of the preparedness, following which the Cabinet Secretary P.K Sinha on Tuesday asked different Ministries to establish dedicated GST facilitation cells to help the businesses in smooth migration from the older tax regime into the GST.

While the Department of Revenue is already ready with helplines to assist with legal and IT related issues under the GST, the GST facilitation Cells shall be the first point of contact for the businesses and the industry.

In a press statement the finance ministry said that the Cabinet Secretary has communicated to the Secretaries of different departments and ministries to establish ‘GST Facilitation Cells’ in their respective portfolios. These cells will be in loop with major industry and business associations which will look after back up and support in case the business face problems with the compliances under the new taxation rules.

Also the Finance Ministry informed that the Ministries are further advised to have a core team with an Economic Expert/Advisor that can supervise the functioning of these cells.

The Cabinet Secretary further reiterated that during the initial roll out of the new tax regime the businesses and traders would require help from the government with regard to compliances, the GST facilitation cells can prove to be instrumental in addressing their concerns. (KNN/ DA)