Overview

• On June 20 at the CBIC conclave, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman directed officials to simplify GST registration using technology and risk-based checks to reduce processing delays.
• She ordered swift closure of Customs and CGST investigations and called for time-bound disciplinary proceedings to narrow the gap between tax detection and recovery.
• The CBIC has processed 85% of GST refund claims within the statutory 60-day timeframe and cut average grievance disposal time to nine days, outperforming the 21-day requirement.
• GST audit coverage rose to 88.74% in FY2024-25, while ₹2.23 lakh crore in evasion was detected, prompting voluntary payments of ₹28,909 crore.
• Officials were also told to fill vacant posts quickly, bolster Seva Kendras and Customs helpdesks, and accelerate cargo clearance to enhance trade facilitation.