By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 25, 2017: WITH the Union and the States gearing up to introduce GST Bills in their respective Houses, the Union of India has approved the proposal to rename CBEC as Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC). In this regard the Central Board of Revenue Act, 1963 would be amended to approve the new name for the CBEC.

The Union Finance Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley, has also approved a restructuring plan for the CBEC. The Board in its new avataar will have 21 Zones, 101 GST Tax payer Services Commissionerates comprising 15 sub-Commissionerates, 768 Divisions, 3969 Ranges, 49 Audit Commissionerates and 50 Appeals Commissionerates. This will ensure rendering of taxpayer services to all the taxpayers through an indirect tax administration structure, having pan-India presence.

For a robust IT Network, the Directorate General of Systems under CBEC is being strengthened. The Directorate General Tax Payer Services is being expanded for greater out- reach for facilitating smooth transition for the taxpayers to the GST environment. The existing training establishment,  to be renamed as National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics will have an all India presence, to enable capacity building to the employees of the indirect tax administration of the Centre as well as of the State Governments and to members of Trade and Industry. The renamed Directorate General of Goods & Service Tax Intelligence is also being strengthened and expanded to become an important wing of the Government in its fight against Tax Evasion and Black Money.