Ahead of GST implementation, the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, has given his nod for the reorganisation of the field formations of the Central Board of Excise & Customs (CBEC).

CBEC is being renamed as the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), after getting legislative approval.

For this purpose, the Central Board of Revenue Act 1963 is expected to be amended in the coming days.

The existing formations of Central Excise & Service Tax under CBEC have been re-organised to implement and enforce the provisions of the proposed goods and service tax laws, an official release said.

CBIC 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 of Tax Payer Services is being expanded for greater out-reach for facilitating smooth transition for the taxpayers to the GST environment, the release added.

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 the 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, the release added.

srivats.kr@thehindu.co.in

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