Hyderabad: The proposed withdrawal of arrest provisions under GST law, higher prosecution thresholds, automated refunds and fewer manual interventions in tax administration were among the key process reforms discussed by Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) chairman Vivek Chaturvedi during an interaction with trade and industry representatives in Hyderabad on Thursday.
Chaturvedi, along with CBIC member (GST) Sanjay Mangal, explained the measures recommended at the 57th GST Council meeting and sought feedback on further reforms. The interaction was attended by about 250 taxpayers and representatives of micro, small and medium enterprises, large manufacturers, service providers, traders, exporters, start-ups, e-commerce operators, chambers of commerce and industry associations.
Chaturvedi said the GST Council’s 56th meeting had focused on rate rationalisation and reducing the tax burden across key sectors, while the 57th meeting recommended a set of process reforms to ease compliance for taxpayers.
He said the tax administration should function as an economic partner and support genuine businesses. The proposed measures include automated, system-driven refunds, reducing manual touchpoints and restricting vehicle inspections to cases involving specific intelligence. Such inspections would be permitted only in the originating and destination states and with authorisation from an officer not below the rank of Joint Commissioner, he said.
The CBIC chairman also discussed a proposed system for centralised GST administration for taxpayers under the administrative jurisdiction of the Central government and sought suggestions from trade and industry representatives on the initiative.
During the interaction, Chaturvedi and Mangal responded to participants’ queries and invited suggestions on further tax reforms, assuring them that the proposals would be examined.
Industry representatives welcomed the recommendations made at the 57th GST Council meeting, stating that the measures could promote a trust-based tax administration, improve working capital flows for businesses and ease compliance.
In the afternoon, the CBIC chairman and the member (GST) interacted with CBIC officers and stressed the need for a transparent, predictable and friction-free tax administration.
Hyderabad CGST Zone chief commissioner Arun Kumar and senior officers of the Central and State GST administrations attended the programme.
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