12 States Pass SGST Bills

· Two New Members Mahender Singh and R.K. Mahajan Join CBEC

[DO. No. 08/CH(EC)/2017 dated 12.05.2017]

This week, on the HR front, the DPCs for grant of Apex Grade to 1981-82 batches, HAG+ to

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1984-85 and HAG to 1986-87 batches has concluded in UPSC on 9^th May, 2017. These proposals will now be sent to the DoPT for approval of the ACC after approval of the competent authority.

On the infrastructure front, as part of preparedness of the field formations to be GST ready, a one time relaxation of the existing limits in the Delegation of Financial Powers has since been taken for the financial year 2017-18 to enable the Commissioners to hire suitable office accommodation. Communication to this effect has been sent separately by the DGHRD. In terms of this one time relaxation, the HoDs can now hire office space in A and A-1 cities on a monthly rent of Rs.10 lakhs as against the existing limit of Rs.3 lakhs. For other cities, the financial powers have been enhanced from Rs.1.5 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs per month. It goes without saying that the due diligence in following the procedures for hiring as per the GFRs would need to be followed. This relaxation is for the year 2017-18 only. I urge all field formations to take this opportunity to augment the infrastructure requirements of the department wherever required.

On the GST front, as on date, 12 States have passed the SGST Bills. All the Acts and Rules are available on the departmental website. Please go through these thoroughly.

I would also like to encourage officers and staff of CBEC to write articles in newspapers and magazines covering various aspects of GST. Any such article may kindly be sent to the GST Policy Wing in CBEC for vetting before publication. It would be useful to have these articles in both Hindi and English and even the local language.

For the smooth roll out of GST, tax officials were required to be trained on the GST common portal of GSTN. However, there appears to be a huge difference between the working strength of tax officials and the number of officials trained. For the successful implementation of GST it should be ensured that all tax officials are trained in GST portal by 31st May, 2017. For this, it is required to revamp the training schedule with a view to complete the training within the stipulated time. Member (IT) would be separately communicating with the Chief Commissioners in this regard with timeline details.

It is a pleasure to welcome Shri Mahender Singh and Shri R. K. Mahajan who have joined as Members of the Board. Their vast experience and knowledge will definitely go a long way in enhancing and enriching the working of the Board.