CBEC pavilion in 33rd India International Trade Fair, 2013 has been awarded with a bronze medal by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Hon’ble Minister for New and Renewable Energy during a ceremony held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi yesterday.

CBEC pavilion was highly praised by the public as well as media and attended attention for its excellence in display.

Focus of the Pavilion this year was to popularize/publicise Service Tax Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES) announced by the Hon’ble Minister of Finance in his Budget speech and which came into effect on 10th May, 2013. The objective of the scheme was to encourage disclosure of Tax dues and compliance of Service Tax law by the persons who have not paid service tax dues for the period from Oct, 2007 to Dec, 2012, either on account of ignorance of law or otherwise. It was golden opportunity for such persons to pay the ‘tax dues’ and come clean. On payment of the tax dues relating to the said period there will be complete waiver of interest, penalty and other proceedings/ consequences.

A Service Tax VCES help desk was set up at the Pavilion to accept declarations under this Scheme and also to answer any queries/clarification from the trade/ assesses related to this scheme. Besides a help desk was also set up for answering any queries/ clarifications related to any issue on Customs and Central Excise.

Various rounds of quiz contests with questions on VCES were held at the Pavilion and the persons giving the correct answers were given “VCES ke Laddoo” as gift. In addition painting contests, mime, face painting and magic shows were held to attract public. Kids were presented with certificates with their photographs along with gifts for participating in these competitions. There has been a phenomenal response to pavilion with huge footfalls.

IITF is one of the largest trade fairs in the world both in terms of exhibitors and visitors participation and has evolved its unique character as an iconic national event. Setting up a Pavilion during the IITF, 2013 has provided a great platform to the Department to publicize the VCES scheme which will help in getting better response.

Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme highlighted as pathway for service tax disclosure with waiver of interest and penalties upon payment. The Pavilion promoted the Voluntary Compliance Encouragement Scheme (VCES), inviting voluntary disclosure of prior service tax liabilities with waiver of interest, penalty and proceedings on payment of declared tax dues. A dedicated VCES help desk accepted declarations and provided clarifications, supported by public engagement activities and a Customs and Central Excise help desk to assist traders and assesses and to boost scheme uptake.