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Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, chaired the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Conclave in New Delhi today, bringing together Principal Chief Commissioners, Chief Commissioners, and Director Generals from CBIC field formations. The conclave focused on strengthening the performance of CGST and Customs zones and charting a clear path toward enhanced taxpayer services and trade facilitation.
The high-level meeting was also attended by Revenue Secretary Shri Arvind Shrivastava, CBIC Chairman Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, members of the CBIC Board, and senior officials from the Department of Revenue.
Board in the presence of Finance Minister and Revenue secretary appreciated the work being done by the Chief Commissioner in the Thiruvananthapuram zone, particularly in the area of GST registration and appeals.
Focus on Performance, Compliance, and Redressal
During the conclave, CBIC officials made comprehensive presentations highlighting key performance metrics, including:
- GST Compliance: The national average for GSTR-3B filing reached 94.3% in FY 2024–25.
- Refund Processing: 85% of GST refund claims were processed within the statutory 60-day limit.
- Audit Coverage: GST audits covered 88.74% of the target base in FY 2024–25, up from 62.21% in FY 2022–23.
- Tax Evasion: Detected GST evasion surged to ₹2.23 lakh crore, with ₹28,909 crore recovered through voluntary payments.
- Grievance Redressal: Disposal time for CPGRAMS grievances averaged 9 days, placing CBIC among the top five of 90 Central Ministries.
- Customs Facilitation: Risk Management System facilitated 86% of cargo in 2025, improving from 82% in 2022.
- Disposal of Seized Gold: Over 2,140 kgs of seized gold were handed over to SPMCIL during FY 2024–25.
FM’s Directives to CBIC
Commending CBIC’s improved performance, the Finance Minister issued a set of forward-looking directives:
- Simplify GST Registration: FM called for a technology-driven, risk-based, and transparent registration process.
- Targeted Awareness Campaigns: Zones were instructed to raise awareness on documentation requirements, especially regarding the “principal place of business.”
- Dedicated Helpdesks: All CGST zones to establish helpdesks for assisting taxpayers in GST registration.
- Well-functioning Seva Kendras: FM emphasised staffing and upkeep of GST Seva Kendras and Customs Turant Suvidha Kendras.
- Expedite Investigations and Refunds: Zones were urged to ensure speedy closure of investigations and faster GST/Customs refunds, especially for MSMEs and exporters.
- Address Public Grievances Promptly: A call was made to dedicate zonal teams for resolving CPGRAMS complaints in a timely manner.
- Reduce Customs Dwell Time: Customs formations were directed to minimize turnaround times at ports and ICDs to enhance trade competitiveness.
- Conclude Disciplinary Proceedings: FM directed early resolution of pending disciplinary actions and prompt filling of vacant posts.
- Strengthen Field Formations: CBIC was encouraged to enhance administrative efficiency through better staffing and streamlined procedures.
Launch of ICETAB for Export Facilitation
Union Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, inaugurated the ICETAB device on the first day of the conclave. The digital tool is designed to reduce transaction costs and turnaround times during export examinations, aligning with India’s ambition to improve its Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking.
Looking Ahead
In her closing remarks, Smt. Sitharaman encouraged Chief Commissioners and Director Generals to proactively engage with trade bodies and taxpayers, and to submit actionable recommendations for further improvement in indirect tax administration. She reiterated that taxpayer trust, efficient grievance redressal, and smooth trade facilitation must remain central to CBIC’s operations going forward.
The CBIC Conclave marks a crucial step in aligning administrative efficiency with India’s broader goals of ease of doing business, compliance, and economic growth.
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