Categories: Current AffairsEconomy

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurates GST Bhawan at Agartala

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the ‘GST Bhawan’ in Agartala, Tripura’s capital. The newly established office complex will serve as the headquarters for CGST, CX, and Customs for the Agartala, Guwahati Zone under CBIC. Situated at Mantri Bari Road, Agartala, the GST Bhawan is designed to offer quick and easy accessibility to all taxpayers in the region, with its proximity to the newly created Agartala Airport complex.

Advantages of GST Bhawan for Common Citizens and Revenue Generation

The GST Bhawan will provide common citizens with better access to GST-related matters and facilitate their interaction with officers.
Post-GST implementation, the state witnessed a substantial increase in revenue collection, with Rs. 982.50 crore collected from Inter-State trade in FY 2022-23 compared to only Rs. 4.21 crore as Central Sales Tax (CST) in FY 2016-17.

Completion of the Project and Cost-Efficiency

Despite facing challenges posed by two waves of COVID-19 during construction, the GST Bhawan was completed within the stipulated timelines of the agreement.
The project, spanning 0.71 acres with a built-up area of 3,000 sq. meters, was constructed at an average cost of Rs. 93,333/- per sq. meter, which is significantly lower than the average construction cost in Agartala, considering the top-notch facilities and fittings.

Transforming Tax Administration in Agartala

The establishment of the GST Bhawan marks a transformative step in tax administration in Agartala. Prior to its construction, the CGST Agartala Commissionerate operated from rented buildings.
Now, with a dedicated and state-of-the-art infrastructure, the office can efficiently serve taxpayers, providing them with improved services and convenience.

More about Agartala:

Agartala is the capital of the Northeastern state of Tripura.
It has historical sites and ancient buildings, reflecting its glorious history.
Maharaja Krishna Chandra Manikya Bahadur shifted the capital to Agartala in 1760.
Agartala experiences a humid subtropical climate with heavy monsoon rainfall.
The city has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by Bengali and Tripuri communities.
Tourist attractions include Ujjayanta Palace, Neermahal, and religious temples.
Agartala is well-connected by air, rail, and road, making it easily accessible for tourists.