Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK/MS)

Mangaluru, Jul 1: Mangaluru Central Excise and Central GST Commissionerate on Sunday July 1 celebrated one year of Goods and Services Tax (GST) at GST Seva Kendra, Attavar here.

Addressing the gathering, commissioner of Mangaluru Central Excise and Central GST Dr M Subramanyam said, "It has been quite a momentous year for this department. We have completed one year of GST implementation. You cannot expect any simpler co-operative federalism than GST Council involving both central and state government.

"It is momentous because of the integration of state and central systems. We have spot crystallized visible results of GST implementation. Last year for one quarter we were not in GST, but after GST implementation till March 2018, we have had almost a difference of Rs 1,200 crore in duties. That reduction is not because of GST but because of our major unit MRPL.

Regarding response to GST in the coastal region, he said, "After the implementation of GST, we have got a good response under the limits of Mangaluru GST commissionerate from coastal Karnataka region including Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Uttara Kannada. In the first year, 11,295 people have paid GST and in the current year, 12,943 people have registered themselves to pay GST. Rs 17022 crore was collected as GST under Mangaluru GST commissionerate limits in the financial year 2016-17. The figure for the financial year 2017-18 stands at Rs 15941 crore.

"The fluctuation in the payment of the tax by MRPL, which is the highest GST taxpayer under Mangaluru division, is the reason for the decrease in the total tax collection for the year 2017-18. However, there is an increase in the number of tax payers. We are working towards the repayment of most of the amount to the taxpayers as there is an opportunity to avail certain concessions in GST, even after one has paid the tax," he added.

"GST, which is being implemented after amalgamating 17 different types of taxes that were prevalent in the state and central union tax system, is a major step towards tax reformation. Excepting certain suggestions that have been received to improve the technical aspects of the GST system, the overall response has been quite good. In the survey that was conducted in the Mangaluru division of GST people have given a positive response," he said.

Managing director MRPL M Venkatesh said, "When GST was implemented we realized that this was the way forward for our country and this was the one of the smoothest possible transformation of the country. How do we implement a project at the same level of the GST implementation taken up? The best part of GST implementation was the acceptance to change as and when the change was required."

"Hats off to the community of tax and tax reforms for the marvellous achievement. We had all witnessed the midnight session in 2017, we saw the passion, the committment that gave us goosebumps. It was the greatest event I witnessed, it was beyond emotions," he said.

Commissioner of Central Excise and Central GST Dr M Subramanyam and managing director MRPL M Venkatesh handed over commendation certificates to 34 officers on the occasion.

Additional commissioner Imamuddin welcomed the gathering. Assistant commissioner Shreyas compered the programme.