GST rollout: Government sets up “mini war room”, to deal with crises

The unit, which will be available from 8 am to 10 pm, will act as a single-window to deal with any GST-related crises that arise.

Written by: Roshan Jha

Published: June 27, 2017, 9:28 PM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/india/gst-rollout-government-sets-up-mini-war-room-to-deal-with-crises-2275109/ Copy

New Delhi, June 27: India is all set to roll-out Goods and Service Tax (GST) on July 1. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is expecting that people are going to face some difficulty initially as the GST is rolled out but in the long run, the new indirect tax regime would help cut tax evasion and check price rise.

To fight against the difficulty, Finance Ministry has set up a “mini war room”, to deal with crises related to the implementation of GST. The war room is equipped with several phone lines, computers and tech-savvy youth to ensure its smooth implementation, reported news wire PTI on Tuesday. According to report the team will act as a quick resource centre for central and state officials to voice their queries.

 The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) chief Vanaja N Sarna was quoted as saying by PTI that “The finance ministry has set up a GST feedback and action room specifically for government officials to approach it with any urgent queries related to problems of GST in any area.”

She also added saying that the unit, which will be available from 8 am to 10 pm, will act as a single-window to deal with any GST-related crises that arise.

The powerful GST Council, comprising Centre and states, has recommended a four-tier tax structure — 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. On top of the highest slab, a cess will be imposed on luxury and demerit goods to compensate the states for revenue loss in the first five years of GST implementation.

GST rates would depend upon whether the commodity is used by a rich person or a common man. The State and Union Territory GST laws were passed by all the states and Union Territories of India except Jammu & Kashmir, paving the way for a smooth roll out of the tax from July 1.