Ministry of Commerce & Industry in Government of India has set up a facilitation cell each in both Department of Commerce and Department of Industry to reply to the queries of the stakeholders on GST. In addition to this, a series of meetings and workshops have been organized to review the preparedness for implementation of GST, create awareness about it and to discuss the operational issues pertaining to GST with the stakeholders. This inter-alia includes meetings with representations of Industry Associations such as Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, representatives of industry associations of special category states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, representatives of Automobile Industry, Cement Industry, Leather Industry, Rubber Industry, Tyre Manufactures, Paper Industry etc. Discussions have also been held with the Service Exporters, representatives of Hotel and Hospitality industry, Logistics Services, Council for Leather Exporters etc. to discuss the issues pertaining to rollout of GST and its implications on them. In addition to the meetings held in States and Union Territories, seminars, workshops and meetings have also been organized in the Special Economic Zones to discuss the GST related issues of units located therein.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

GST implementation preparedness via facilitation cells and stakeholder consultations to address sectoral operational challenges. Facilitation cells in the Department of Commerce and Department of Industry were created to handle stakeholder queries on GST implementation, complemented by meetings and workshops to review preparedness, raise awareness, and address operational issues. Consultations covered diverse industry associations, manufacturing and service sectors, and SEZ units to identify sector-specific implications and coordinate guidance and facilitation prior to rollout.