n outreach programme with all stakeholders of income tax (IT) and Goods and services Tax (GST) was held at the DC office conference hall organized by IT & CGST Department.
The awareness programme was duly attended and participated by Deputy Commissioner Budgam Shahbaz Ahmed Mirza, Neeraj Choubey Additional Commissioner CGST and Rajeev Gubgotra Joint Commissioner IT.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC hailed the initiative taken by IT & CGST Department for conducting Tax awareness programme at District Budgam.
The DC emphasized upon paying of taxes being a legal, social and moral obligation. He further said that paying taxes is critical for nation building.
During the program, Neeraj Choubey Additional Commissioner CGST congratulated the audience for the warm response and turning up in the Tax awareness programme. He said those Roads, bridges and electricity and all developmental activities are being carried out from Taxpayers money, such is the significance of Tax payment in any nation. He further said that U.T of J&K has to be more tax compliant in order to give impetus to developmental projects in U.T.
Rajeev Gubgotra Joint Commissioner IT in his address informed the participants about the simplification of procedures which the Department has put in place for public convenience. He urged Traders associations to come forward and help the Government in collection of taxes.
A practical and live demonstration for filing various GST returns was also carried out in an awareness programme.
Deputy Commissioner CGST Varun Soni also spoke on the occasion and highlighted various technical issues pertaining to GST for information of participants. The feedback forms were also distributed among the participants for their suggestions to improve IT & GST procedures. Further, suggestions from traders and shopkeepers associations were also taken for their inclusion in the upcoming Budget for Financial year 2022-23.
Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, Income Tax Officer (HQ) also apprised the participants about nature and procedure involved in collection of income Tax. He said that Income Tax and GST is the backbone of the economy and developmental process.
He urged the participants to mention the grievances and issues faced and fill them in feedback form so that the same are improved upon. The IT Department has framed citizen’s charter for time bound delivery and redressal of services, Riyaz added.
During the program, the traders and shopkeepers associations also interacted with the experts wherein they raised the issue and grievances faced by them while filing GST. The associations demanded shifting of Office location of State CTO office from Humhama to Budgam town.
The associations appealed to the organizing authorities to conduct more such Tax awareness programmes in future as well for the information of all stakeholders in District Budgam.
Among others, the program was attended by ADDC, ADC, P.O ICDS, GM DIC, ACD, ACP, ACR, CAO and other concerned officers and officials besides traders and shopkeepers associations.