Balancing Enforcement and Business Ease: GST Conference Insights

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra emphasized the importance of balancing enforcement actions with business ease in suspected GST evasion cases. Highlights from a national conference involved tracking masterminds behind fake tax credits and the importance of focusing on real evasion. Senior officials and intelligence authorities participated in the event.

Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra on Tuesday emphasized the critical need to find a balance between stringent enforcement actions and maintaining an ease of doing business while addressing suspected GST evasion cases.

In his address at the second National Conference of Enforcement Chiefs of State and Central GST formations, Malhotra stressed the importance of identifying and pursuing the masterminds and primary beneficiaries of fraudulent input tax credits to ensure thorough deterrence. This conference coincides with a nationwide special drive, initiated on August 16, aimed at detecting fake GST registrations.

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman Sanjay Agarwal also addressed the gathering. He urged enforcement agencies to stay ahead of evaders to preserve the integrity of the GST system and advised focusing on significant evasion cases over interpretative issues and general industry practices. Senior officers from various revenue and intelligence units, including the CBDT, ED, DRI, FIU-IND, and CEIB, participated in the deliberations.

(With inputs from agencies.)