By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JUNE 23, 2017: WITH the Govts gearing up to roll out GST, the CBEC has decided to celebrate July 1 as the 'GST Day' every year. It is to be celebrated in all CBEC offices like the International Customs Day and the Central Excise Day.

In its latest communication the CBEC has asked all its field offices to take the following preparatory steps:

++ Meetings/ functions to mark the celebration of GST Day may be held on July 01, 2017 in field offices, with the participation of State GST officials.

++ All the offices of CBEC will be kept open on July 01, 2017, as a trade facilitation measure. This will enable the availability of the officers & staff in their work places for the benefit of trade & industry.

++ In order to mark this historic occasion of launching of GST, suitable banners/decorations may be placed in field officers welcoming members of the trade & industry for any facilitation.

++ Name boards of the field offices may be suitably re-named as "CENTRAL GST ZONE / COMMISSIONERATE / DIVISION / RANGE". The logo "One Nation, One Tax, One Market" may be displayed prominently on the Nameboards/Banners / Office letterheads.

++ On the night of 30th June, 2017 as well as on July 01, 2017 the field offices may be suitably illuminated with low key lighting to mark the occasion of launch of GST.

++ Henceforth, all field offices from the Chief Commissioner's office to the Range should serve as GST Seva-Kendras for effective trade facilitation. Apart from giving guidance to GST assessees, these GST Seva Kendras should render assistance to taxpayers in migration, registration as well as filing of returns. The Hyderabad GST Zone has prepared a Guidance Manual for GST Seva Kendras, (soft copy enclosed) which is an attempt to standardize high quality taxpayer services at the GST Seva Kendras. It would be extremely useful to prepare Guidance Manual for GST Seva Kendras in each Zone operating at different levels namely Commissionerate, division and range levels for the benefit of officers and Trade and Industry. It is suggested that the same may be prepared for each zone in English and local languages. This work may be done in a time bound manner so as to be completed in next 2-3 days. It is also requested that the GST Seva Kendras should be strengthened to enable them to discharge their functions effectively and promptly in view of the directions of the Cabinet Secretary during the meeting taken on 20.06.2017.

++ Photos and reports about GST Day celebrations on July 01, 2017 may be e-mailed immediately on the same day to DG, Tax Payer Services Cell, New Delhi for wider publicity through Twitter etc.