Simplify GST Registration, Plug Tax Leakage, Says FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday asked the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to take further steps to simplify the Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration process and enhance grievance redressal mechanisms.

- FE BUREAU

She also stressed the need for speedy closure of investigations in Customs and GST cases, while ensuring effective measures to prevent tax evasion.

During a presentation at the CBIC conclave, it was revealed that detected GST evasion rose to ₹2.23 lakh crore in 2024-25, with voluntary payments totaling ₹28,909 crore.

Sitharaman also asked the CBIC to strengthen efforts to prevent wrongful claims of input tax credit (ITC), address public grievances swiftly—particularly those received through the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)—and reduce dwell time for imports to boost trade facilitation, the finance ministry said.