Ghaziabad, Oct 24 – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the importance of politeness and empathy among GST officers while interacting with honest taxpayers during the inauguration of the CGST building in Ghaziabad. She urged officers to leverage technology for expedited registration approvals and efficient grievance redressal.

Sitharaman highlighted the necessity for field formations to proactively engage in trade facilitation measures, stating, “There is no iron wall between you and trader, there is thin air.” She encouraged officers to identify and address difficulties faced by taxpayers rather than complicating the process further.

The minister underscored the need for timely resolution of disciplinary proceedings against officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), asserting that such actions would convey a strong message against misconduct, dereliction of duty, or unethical behavior.

Sitharaman reiterated that the primary objective of tax administration is to ease the process for honest taxpayers. She urged GST officers to adhere to established Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) while treating honest taxpayers with respect, stating, “The next-generation GST is not just about rates, slabs, simplification. It should make the taxpayer feel different.”

While advocating for fair treatment of honest taxpayers, she cautioned against viewing all individuals with suspicion, emphasizing the importance of following protocols to address dishonest taxpayers without compromising the integrity of the process.

The minister also encouraged GST officers to utilize technology to alleviate the compliance burden on taxpayers seeking GST registration. She stated, “Technology and risk-based parameters must do the heavy lifting and not the taxpayer,” urging officers to conduct smart inquiries without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.

Sitharaman called for mapping recurring grievances within Central GST (CGST) zones to identify and address the root causes of issues. Regarding disciplinary proceedings, she asserted that swift resolutions would enhance accountability and counter public perceptions of indifference among officers.

She concluded with a clear motto for disciplinary matters: “Galat kiya hai toh khair nahi, sahi kiya toh koi bhaye nahi” (If you do wrong, you won’t be forgiven; if you do right, you need not fear). Additionally, she stressed the need for prompt closure of pending GST investigations with well-reasoned, evidence-based orders to reduce litigation costs.