CBEC-Mission Zero to reduce pendency of current items for successful implementation of GST from 1st April 2017.

CBEC-Mission Zero to reduce pendency of current items for successful implementation of GST from 1st April 2017. Chairman letter to Field Offices.

The Chairman CBEC has written a letter to field formations for implementation of Mission Zero aimed at reducing pendency of adjudications, refunds, rebates and drawback in a time bound manner.

The letter is extracted as under:

D.O.No 156/Chairman(CBEC)/2016                                                                                               19th October, 2016

Dear Colleague,

As you are aware, preparations for introducing  GST from the  beginning of the next fiscal year are in full swing with the present focus being on timely finalization of its legal and administrative framework. At the same time, it is necessary  to continue to focus on reducing the pendency of current items of work as this would have an important bearing on the successful implementation of GST.

2. You would agree that too heavy a burden of legacy work regime  would hamper us in giving our undivided attention to The solution, therefore, is to immediately chalk out an Action Plan to reduce the pendencies to  the maximum possible extent in the balance months of the current financial year. This would give CBEC another advantage: this would reassure stakeholders that trade facilitation remains our top priority and also give them confidence that we are fully capable of handling a transformational  reform like GST.

3. I have noticed with great interest the initiative of Hyderabad Zone in this “Mission Zero” has been launched there with the objective of sharply reducing the pendency of adjudications, refunds, rebates and drawback in a time bound manner. These items of work were picked as they most directly impact the ease of doing business. Other items of work such as export related schemes  can also be included. The results have been encouraging and the Hyderabad model has been replicated in few other Zones. I suggest this should  be  immediately implemented in your Zone also as it would free us to handle GST.

4. The success of Mission Zero requires the complete commitment of all officers and staff engaged in handling the identified items of pending work. Thus, you and your  Principal Commissioners/Commissioners must engage with the officers and staff concerned to ensure that all are genuinely convinced of both the importance of Mission Zero and the fact that it is realistically achievable. Secondly, Mission Zero must be viewed as a collective responsibility which means that local solutions must be found to aid the Commissionerates with higher pendencies. This could involve temporary diversion of staff or even redistribution of pending cases. Thirdly, a key element is to assess the specific areas wherein the process flow for the identified items of work can be expedited. To illustrate, focussed attention on pre-audit would immediately improve the disposal of refund and rebate claims. Fourthly, adopting “FIFO” (First-In-First-Out) approach at each stage of processing would enhance efficiency and transparency. Finally, it is critical to closely monitor the progress in the identified items of work and., if required, take corrective steps mid-course.

5. I am confident that with the suggested focussed approach on reducing pendencies, come 1st April 2017 the CBEC would be in an ideal position to ensure the success of GST in the national interest.

With regards

Yours Sincerely,

Najib Shah