By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAY 14, 2017: CREATING or developing infrastructure for field formations has never been one of the strengths of the CBEC. But, with the GST on the anvil, the Government has granted one-time exemption to the existing limits in the Delegation of Financial Powers to enable the Commissioners to hire suitable office accommodation. The HoDs can now hire office space in A and A-1 cities on a monthly rent of Rs 10 lakhs as against the existing limit of Rs 3 lakhs. For other cities, the financial powers have been enhanced from Rs.1.5 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs per month. It goes without saying that the due diligence in following the procedures for hiring as per the GFRs would need to be followed. This relaxation is for the year 2017-18 only.

In her weekly letter to the officers the CBEC Chairperson, Ms Vanaja Sarna, has also stated that the CBEC officers are free to write articles in newspapers and magazines covering various aspects of GST. She says that any such article may be sent to the GST Policy Wing in CBEC for vetting before publication. It would be useful to have these articles in both Hindi and English and even the local language, adds she.

Ms Sarna also points out that for the smooth roll out of GST, tax officials were required to be trained on the GST common portal of GSTN. However, there appears to be a huge difference between the working strength of tax officials and the number of officials trained. For the successful implementation of GST it should be ensured that all tax officials are trained in GST portal by 31st May, 2017. For this, it is required to revamp the training schedule with a view to complete the training within the stipulated time. Member (IT) would be separately communicating with the Chief Commissioners in this regard with timeline details.

On the HR front, the DPCs for grant of Apex Grade to 1981-82 batches, HAG+ to 1984-85 and HAG to 1986-87 batches were concluded in UPSC on May 9, 2017. These proposals will now be sent to the DoPT for approval of the ACC.