In a significant move to bolster transparency and ease of compliance, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Vadodara-II Commissionerate recently organized a major outreach programme for local trade and industry associations. The event, held under the leadership of Rajeev Gupta, Principal Chief Commissioner of CGST Vadodara Zone, aimed to foster a stronger dialogue between tax authorities and stakeholders.
Key Officials and Stakeholders Gather for Dialogue
The programme saw participation from senior CGST officials and prominent industry representatives. Notable attendees included Sumit Kumar, Principal Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), and Surender Mankoskar, Principal Commissioner of CGST Vadodara-I. Karmvir Singh, Commissioner of CGST Vadodara-II, along with other senior departmental officers, were also present to engage with the business community.
Addressing the gathering, Commissioner Karmvir Singh emphasized the critical need for continuous engagement between tax authorities and stakeholders. He stressed that this dialogue is fundamental to building a more transparent and taxpayer-friendly Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. The commissioner outlined that this outreach is a core part of the ongoing GST 2.0 reform efforts initiated by the GST Council and the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). These reforms, guided by the DGTS, Ahmedabad Zone Unit (AZU), are designed to simplify compliance procedures for businesses across the board.
Flagship Initiatives Driving Change
The Vadodara-II commissionerate showcased a series of proactive measures launched to support taxpayers and raise awareness. These initiatives include:
- The launch of a dedicated GST Registration Helpdesk in Bharuch to assist new and existing taxpayers.
- Organizing comprehensive GST 2.0 awareness programmes to educate businesses about new reforms and processes.
- A unique 5-kilometer awareness marathon to engage the public and promote GST literacy.
- Holding monthly taxpayer interaction meetings to address grievances and feedback regularly.
- Observance of Swachhta Utsav, aligning with broader national cleanliness and governance goals.
National Recognition for Excellence
Commissioner Singh appreciated the dedicated efforts of all officers and staff involved in these campaigns. He highlighted that it was this collective drive and innovative public engagement that enabled the CGST Vadodara Zone to secure the top rank nationwide in performance and taxpayer service. This achievement underscores the zone's commitment to implementing the central government's vision of a streamlined and responsive indirect tax system.
The outreach programme in Vadodara marks a concrete step towards realizing the objectives of GST 2.0, focusing on partnership with trade bodies to resolve practical issues and enhance the overall ease of doing business in the region.
