Gujarat Becomes First State In India to Establish 12 GST Seva Kendras

Surat : Gujarat has etched a historic milestone in tax administration by becoming the first state in India to establish 12 GST Seva Kendras (GSKs), inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. The momentous launch took place in the industrial nucleus of Vapi, with the presence of Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai and various dignitaries.

The 12 strategically positioned GST Seva Kendras are set across key locations in Gujarat, including Vapi, Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Godhra, Mehsana, Palanpur, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, and Gandhidham. This concerted effort aims to streamline the registration process, consequently augmenting the GST collection across the state.

During the launch event in Vapi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman applauded Gujarat’s pioneering step in establishing these 12 GST Seva Kendras. She emphasized the convenience these centers offer to individuals and businesses for swift and hassle-free registration.

“Gujarat is the first pioneering state to have launched 12 GST Seva Kendras, which is a milestone move in the tax collection and compliance” said Sitharaman, while addressing a gathering in Vapi on Tuesday.

The initiative ‘Mera Bill, Mera Adhikar’ was highlighted, emphasizing the value of invoices in contributing to the transparency and participatory spirit in the nation-building process. Sitharaman praised the awareness among consumers who actively demand and upload bills, crucial for a transparent tax system ensuring that tax revenues are utilized for public welfare.

Union Minister Sitharaman stressed the importance of curbing tax evasion and increasing monthly collections, assuring consumers that the post-GST era ensures reduced tax rates and eliminates double taxation. The focus on collection and the need for more establishments to enroll under the transparent tax regime were emphasized.

Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai paid homage to the late former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, acknowledging his pivotal role in laying the foundation for the GST in India. Despite differing state rules and political will, GST has succeeded due to Jaitley’s visionary approach. Desai emphasized that Gujarat, contributing significantly to India’s industrial output, serves as a crucial growth engine.

Acknowledging Gujarat’s prominence as a preferred investment destination, Desai lauded the cooperative and business-friendly nature of its people. Vapi, known as a historic industrial township, was highlighted for its significant industrial contributions. Former Prime Minister Morarji Desai laid the foundation stone for the Vapi industrial area, which currently provides direct and indirect employment to around 2 lakh individuals and contributes approximately 10% to Gujarat’s GST collection.