The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Thursday (16th November 2023) that the green light has been given for the implementation of biometric-based Aadhaar authentication at GST Seva Kendras in Andhra Pradesh. The minister was giving a speech during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the GST Bhavan at the Tirupati CGST Commissionerate.
In her address to tax officers, Sitharaman highlighted the approval for this significant initiative, which aims to enhance the efficiency and security of services provided through GST Seva Kendras. The move towards biometric-based Aadhaar authentication aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes and leverage technology for a more robust and reliable authentication system.
During her speech at the event, Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman extended congratulations to the CGST and Customs Vizag Zone for the Bhoomi Pooja ceremony and infrastructure development. She encouraged the zone to sustain the positive revenue trends. The Tirupati Commissionerate achieved a noteworthy GST revenue collection of Rs. 8,264 crore in the previous year and Rs. 5,019 crore up to September 2023. The Commissionerate has made significant strides in recent years, demonstrating an impressive growth rate of approximately 300% in the GST regime. This remarkable expansion can be attributed mainly to the production of passenger vehicles, cement, and automotive batteries.
In his virtual address, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra expressed appreciation for the Bhoomi Pooja conducted by the Tirupati Commissionerate and acknowledged the various infrastructure projects undertaken by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). He emphasised the synergy between revenue growth and law enforcement, urging prompt resolution of prosecution-related matters. Mr. Malhotra also urged all officers to maintain a steadfast focus on the grievance redressal mechanism for taxpayers.
Regarding infrastructure development by CBIC chairman, Sanjay Agarwal mentioned that over the last five years, 54 proposals for office construction, totaling approximately Rs. 2,200 crore, have been approved. Additionally, 9 proposals for the construction or renovation of residential quarters, totaling Rs. 640 crore, have also received approval. These figures represent a substantial investment, and CBIC is actively overseeing the projects to ensure their prompt and successful completion.
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