To mark eight years of India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, the CGST Commissionerate, Noida organised a high-level GST Conclave today on the theme “8 Years of GST – Journey So Far and Challenges Ahead.” The event also heralded the launch of GST Pakhwada, a fortnight-long celebration leading up to GST Day on July 1.

Welcome Address

The Conclave commenced with a Welcome Address by Shri Sanjay Mangal, Chief Commissioner, CGST Meerut Zone, who underscored the transformational journey of GST in reshaping the nation’s indirect tax landscape. He highlighted key achievements including enhanced transparency, improved compliance, and greater use of digital platforms in tax administration. Shri Mangal also addressed ongoing challenges such as complexities in input tax credit (ITC), cross-jurisdictional supplies, and evolving litigation.

Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker

Shri Vivek Johri, former Chairperson, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), was the Chief Guest and delivered the Keynote Address. He offered an insightful evaluation of GST’s progress, acknowledging both quantitative accomplishments and qualitative reforms. Shri Johri stressed the need for strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms and suggested conducting Impact Assessments of newly issued circulars and instructions to enhance clarity and implementation.

Other Eminent Speakers

The event featured prominent voices from the corporate and professional community:

• Ms. Rachna Garg, GM Finance, M/s Dixon Technologies, provided a ground-level industry perspective on GST’s evolution and the practicalities of compliance.
• Mr. Suyog Nawal, Vice President – Indirect Taxation, M/s Vodafone Idea, highlighted sector-specific issues, especially those concerning cross-jurisdictional transactions and tax credit utilization.
• CA Bimal Jain, a renowned indirect tax expert, shared analytical insights on current litigation trends, policy gaps, and the way forward for simplification and certainty in the GST framework.

Participation and Stakeholder Engagement

The Conclave drew participation from several trade and industry associations such as the Noida Entrepreneurs Association and Laghu Udyog Association, along with leading corporations including Vodafone Idea, Motherson Group, and Dixon Technologies. The interactive sessions enabled a robust exchange of views between taxpayers and the administration, creating a platform for grievance redressal and constructive feedback.

Vote of Thanks

Shri Jitendra Kumar, Commissioner, CGST Noida, delivered the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, participants, and officers for making the event a resounding success. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to collaborative governance and continuous improvement.

Conclave Host

The event was seamlessly hosted by Ms. Urja Jain, Assistant Commissioner, who guided the proceedings with professionalism and poise.

The Conclave not only set the stage for GST Pakhwada 2025 but also reinforced the shared resolve of both the administration and industry stakeholders to further strengthen India’s landmark tax reform.