The Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, Shri P.K. Sinha has asked the Secretaries of the different Ministries/Departments to set-up a Goods and Service Tax (GST) Facilitation Cell in their respective Department/Ministry. Shri Sinha said that the Cell, in turn, shall be in constant touch with the major industry and business associations relating to the respective Ministry/Department and provide all possible support for the smooth roll-out of GST w.e.f. 1st July, 2017. The Cabinet Secretary in a letter to the Secretaries of the different Ministries/Departments has further mentioned that the GST Facilitation Cell can preferably be managed by a small core team headed by the Economic Adviser or any other designated officer of the respective Ministry/Department. He said while the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance is making the Help lines operational for any individual tax payer to seek resolution of any legal or IT related issues, the GST Facilitation Cell, on the other hand, could serve as the first point of contact for addressing any issue being faced by any business or industrial sector related to the respective Ministry. The Cabinet Secretary further added that this would greatly facilitate the roll-out of GST.

The Cabinet Secretary in his letter to the Secretaries of the different Ministries/Departments has also asked them to ensure that all Public Sector Units (PSUs) under the administrative control of their respective Ministry/Department are GST Compliant before 1st July, 2017. He asked the Secretaries to have meeting(s) with all the CMDs/Chair Persons of the PSUs, if any, under their charge in order to sensitize them towards GST roll-out. The Cabinet Secretary further added that preferably each PSU may constitute a GST Cell, which, in turn, should be fully equipped with the complete knowledge of all the relevant GST Act/Rules/Rate Structure etc.

The Cabinet Secretary, Shri P.K.Sinha has further stated that to ensure smooth and successful roll-out of GST, it is essential that all stakeholders, both in the Government as well outside, are adequately prepared for the roll-out. Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that all sectors/businesses are GST ready before 1st July, 2017.

Earlier, the Revenue Secretary, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia had also written to the Secretaries of the different Ministries/Departments that there is an urgent need for all the Central Governments Ministries/PSUs (working under them) to be made aware of the basic features of GST Law and procedures, including implication in their respective areas of work. The Revenue Secretary had stated that the PSUs and other entities who are likely to pay GST need to be GST ready.

The Revenue Secretary, Dr. Adhia had also mentioned that the new scheme of tax administration will have an impact on the work of various Ministries/Departments including PSUs and other autonomous bodies who are involved in the economic activity in one way or the other, therefore, there is need for a time bound schedule for undertaking GST awareness campaign and training programme for the officials of the respective Ministry/Department. The Revenue Secretary stated that National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) has been mandated to conduct the GST training for the officers as well as for the representatives of trade and industry. He said that NECAN has a panel of resource persons/master trainers across India and would be happy to provide required assistance in this regard.

GST facilitation cells to support businesses and ensure PSU compliance for smooth tax system roll out. Establish a GST Facilitation Cell in each Ministry/Department as a first point of contact for business and industry to address operational, legal and IT issues related to the GST roll out; Cells should be small core teams led by an Economic Adviser or designated officer and liaise with sectoral associations. Ensure all Public Sector Undertakings under Ministries are GST compliant before implementation, preferably constituting internal GST Cells knowledgeable about the Act, Rules and rate structure, and undertake time bound awareness and training programmes with assistance from NACEN.