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Government has accepted the recommendations of the Working Group set up to review current system of Management Information System (MIS) reports and returns prepared by the field formations of Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax. The new system of reporting, as recommended by the Group, would come into effect from May 1, 2005. This was stated by the Finance Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram, here today. Without compromising the genuine need for data and information for effective administrative monitoring and policy making, the new system would ensure greater efficiency, substantial saving in resources and availability of reliable data in a timely manner.
After extensive consultations with all stakeholders, the Working Group on Streamlining of Reports and Returns identified that many statements are no longer required and some are repetitive in nature and has recommended a drastic reduction in the total number of reports from 133 (for Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax taken together) to 7 periodic reports.
In pursuance of the Government’s commitment to move towards e-governance, the format of the reports has also been revised so as to make them amenable to electronic filing and processing.
As part of its strategy to streamline tax administration and infuse efficiency, the Government had set up this Working Group. The number of reports and returns had grown to unmanageable proportions over the years owing to the introduction of several ad-hoc reports, from time to time. Apart form straining the administrative resources of the Department of Revenue, this implied numerous and unnecessary interaction with the assesses from whom the requisite information was often required to be collected.
BSC/BY/CS-203/05
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