CGST Kutch Commissionerate celebrated 6thGST day in the afternoon of 1st July, 2023 at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Convention Centre, Gandhidham, Kutch, by inviting the representatives of trade and industry, representatives of electronic and print media and officers and staff along with their family members. This event served as a platform to reflect on the achievements of GST, exchange ideas, and chart the course for future growth and development.
The event commenced with lighting of lamp and a video message which provided a comprehensive understanding of GST’s journey over the past six years and various initiatives of CGST Kutch in various sectors i.e. Swacchta Campaign, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Blood Donation Camp, relief measures in cyclone effected areas, plantation programs conducted at various sites including Police Lines, Dholavira, outside the boundary wall of Ramleela Maidan, etc.
Eminent speakers from the Trade and Industry i.e. Shri Rakesh Shah, COO of M/s Adani Port & SEZ Ltd., Shri Ajay Jain, DGM (Commercial Head) of M/s Balkrishna Industries Ltd. and Shri Dinesh Kalantri, Sr. Vice President of M/s Welspun Corp. Ltd., Development Commissioner KASEZ, Hon’ble President Gandhidham Nagarpalika, Shri Tejabaji Kangad, President, Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce, Shri Hemchandra Yadav, Vice President, Kandla Timber Association spoke on various aspects of GST, including level playing field for all taxpayers, all Indirect taxes under one umbrella, revenue augmentation due to fixing of leakages, fewer compliances, free movement of products and services across the country transparent and responsive administration of CGST Kutch team. Since,1st July was also being celebrated as Chartered Accountant Day (CA Day) and Doctors Day, Shri Gajendra Bolia, CA and Dr. Rajesh Khatri were also invited to address the gathering.
The program included a special segment dedicated to recognizing outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of GST by both the trade and industry and officers and staff of CGST Commissionerate. Accordingly, CGST Kutch felicitated top taxpayers, top exporters and MSME businesses for their substantial contribution to the state exchequer and also earning huge foreign exchange by way of substantial increase in the volume of exports. Officers and staff who have demonstrated excellence in the key areas of work were also felicitated on the occasion.
Commissioner, CGST Kutch Commissionerate while addressing the gathering highlighted the highest growth rate of 49.5% achieved in the first two months of the current financial yearvis-à-vis corresponding period of previous financial year. This said remarkable growth rate of 49.5% achieved over base of 36.75% growth rate which works out to an absolute growth of Rs. 800 Cr. recorded in the last two financial years i.e. 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The commissioner has also dwelt upon remarkable growth of Rs. 200 Cr growth achieved in just three months of the current financial year vi-a vis Rs. 800 Cr absolute growth achieved in 24 months of the previous two financial years i.e. 2021-22 and 2022-23 and also revealed that even after week long power disruption, caused due to the massive Cyclone, which struck Kutch and neighbouring districts of Saurashtra, the trade and industry, which celebrated Kutch New year within four days of the ‘Biparjoy’ having landfall at Jakhau port, had filed 86% of returns by paying more than 90% of revenue within three days after the due date i.e., 20.06.2023 which Govt. extended till 30.06.2023.
The Commissioner has also appreciated the total revenue collection of Rs. 220/- Crores till 30.06.2023 which culminated in total revenue collection of Rs. 778.27 Cr at a growth rate of 35.5% vis a vis revenue collection of Rs. 574.39 Cr during the corresponding period of the previous financial year, which (35.5%) is nearly three times more than All India growth rate of 12% recorded during the corresponding period of the current financial year. Commissioner has also mentioned that the taxpayer base of CGST Kutch Commissionerate has increased fourfold from the introduction of GST regime till completion of previous financial year. And in absolute numbers, taxpayer base of CGST Kutch Commissionerate increased from 4500 to more than 15000, despite cancellation of GST registration of 3000 tax payees.
Commissioner has also highlighted how the revenue collected from GST is spent on various social and infrastructure schemes/projects like around Rs. 33000 crores spent on developing vaccine and administering vaccination of 131 crore population to prevent further spread of COVID-19, Rs. 10 Lakh crore budget allocation for infrastructure in the current Budget and various other schemes like Nal Jal, Aayushamaan Bharat, etc.
The CGST Kutch team has also showcased their talent in various Indian forms of dance and other areas of arts like belting devotional and romantic songs and also Gujarati Garba and Rajasthani cultural dance as part of the cultural program enthralling the sizable audience who remained in the auditorium till 10 pm. The program was a stupendous success as more than 700 participants were physically present and more than 1200 participants viewed online.
In the said event organised by CGST Kutch, various distinguished guests like Shri Dinesh Singh, I.O.F.S., Development Commissioner, Kandla SEZ, Smt Ishitaben Tilwani, Hon’ble President, Gandhidham Nagar Palika, Brigadier Shri Ranju Kuriance, Head of Indian Army Wing at Gandhidham, Shri Marut Tripathi, Joint Development Commissioner, KASEZ, Shri Tejabhai Kangad, President Gandhidham Chamber of Commerce, Shri Navneet Gajjar, President, Kandla Timber Association, Shri Hemchandra Yadav, Vice President, Kandla Timber Association and various esteemed guests from Trade and Industry were present. Shri Manish Kumar Meena, Joint Commissioner presented Vote of Thanks to all.
