As India gear ups for GST regime starting from July 1, 2017, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has established a facilitation cell at its office to guide the industry about the new indirect tax regime.
The Ministry, in its office order, stated that for the purpose of implementation and facilitating the rollout of GST, a cell has been created at the ministry office with immediate effect. “The GST facilitation cell will provide all possible support for the rollout of the levy to the major industry and business associations related to MoFPI,” it added.
“This cell will serve as the first point of contact to address any issue being faced by any sector related to the ministry,” the order stated. “The GST cell will be equipped with the complete knowledge of the relevant GST Act, rules, rate structure etc.,” it added.
The cell will be headed by Bijaya Kumar Behera, economic advisor to MoFPI. Its members will include G Srinivasan, senior marketing officer, MoFPI, S N Ahmed, assistant director, MoFPI, and Bikram Nath, assistant director, MoFPI.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Cabinet Secretariat has issued an order asking all the ministries to constitute facilitating cells in their respective ministries to guide the industry and related stakeholders in the implementation of GST from July 1.
Meanwhile, the industry welcomed the decision, stating that it will help the industry in case problems arise. Industry associations were also asked to open facilitation cells at their offices to help the stakeholders make the transition.
S Jindal, president, All India Food Processors’ Associaton (AIFPA), said, “The ministry has urged the industry bodies to have back-up centres as well. AIFPA will also open a cell at its office to help its associates.”
“People who are well conversant with the subject will help the associates. While we will try to resolve their queries, there may be queries which will be difficult for us to answer. We will forward these to the ministry,” he added.