FM Sitharaman Chairs CBIC Conclave, Unveils Key Customs and GST Reforms

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, presided over the CBIC Conclave 2025 in New Delhi, convening Principal Chief Commissioners, Chief Commissioners, and Director Generals of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The high-level conclave focused on reviewing performance, driving reforms, and laying out a future roadmap to enhance taxpayer services, trade facilitation, and regulatory efficiency under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Customs frameworks.

Also in attendance were key dignitaries including Shri Arvind Shrivastava, Secretary, Department of Revenue (DoR), Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chairman of CBIC, other Board Members, and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance.

Keynote Launch: ICETAB Device for Faster Export Clearance

The inaugural session of the conclave witnessed the launch of the ICETAB device by Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj Chaudhary. The device is designed to enhance export examination efficiency, reduce transaction costs, and significantly improve India’s standing in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by lowering turnaround time for trade shipments.

CBIC Performance Highlights: FY 2024–25

CBIC officials presented a detailed performance assessment across key operational areas, revealing impressive strides:

• Grievance Redressal:

  • Average grievance disposal time reduced to 9 days, compared to the stipulated 21 days.

  • 95–97% of CPGRAMS appeals resolved within 30 days.

  • CBIC ranked among the top 5 of 90 Central Ministries in CPGRAMS since February 2024.

• GST Compliance & Refunds:

  • GSTR-3B filing national average reached 94.3%.

  • 85% of refund claims processed within the statutory 60-day limit.

• Audit and Enforcement:

  • GST audit coverage rose from 62.21% (FY 2022–23) to 88.74% (FY 2024–25).

  • GST evasion detection hit a record ₹2,23,170 crore, with voluntary payments of ₹28,909 crore.

  • Notably, zero taxpayers were selected for repeat audits within three years, reflecting risk-based audit targeting.

• Cargo Facilitation and RMS Usage:

  • 86% of cargo facilitated through the Risk Management System (RMS) in 2025, an increase from 82% in 2022.

• Asset Disposal:

  • In FY 2024–25, 2,140.35 kg of seized gold were handed over to SPMCIL for monetization.

Ministerial Directions: Building a Proactive, Tech-Driven Ecosystem

Smt. Sitharaman emphasized the modernization and streamlining of GST processes, especially registrations, to enhance transparency and ease of doing business. She directed CGST zones to:

• Simplify GST registration using technology and risk profiling

• Establish helpdesks for applicant support

• Launch awareness campaigns on mandatory documentation, especially concerning the principal place of business

She reiterated the need to ensure that GST Seva Kendras and Customs Turant Suvidha Kendras are fully staffed, accessible, and well-maintained to serve taxpayers efficiently.

Focus on Grievance Redressal, Investigations, and Compliance

The Finance Minister stressed a sustained focus on taxpayer trust and timely redressal of grievances, encouraging CBIC zones to:

• Dedicate internal CPGRAMS task teams

• Expedite pending cases and disciplinary proceedings in a time-bound manner

• Strengthen systems for Customs and CGST investigation closures

• Analyze and reduce the gap between tax evasion detection and actual recovery

She urged expeditious processing of GST and Customs refunds, particularly for MSMEs and exporters, to boost working capital and promote economic growth.

Enhancing Global Trade Competitiveness

Taking note of India's ambitions to become a global logistics and manufacturing hub, Smt. Sitharaman called upon Customs officials to:

• Reduce dwell times at ports, airports, and Inland Container Depots (ICDs)

• Facilitate faster cargo clearance

• Implement trade facilitation measures aligned with international best practices

These improvements are critical to enhancing India's performance in the Ease of Doing Business and global trade competitiveness indices.

Human Resource and Policy Optimization

The Finance Minister emphasized the urgent need to fill vacant posts across Customs and GST field formations to strengthen on-ground administration. She also encouraged Chief Commissioners and Director Generals to:

• Proactively undertake trade facilitation initiatives

• Submit actionable reform suggestions to CBIC headquarters

• Ensure policy implementation aligns with ground-level realities

Closing Remarks: A Call to Action

Smt. Sitharaman acknowledged the CBIC’s strong performance and urged field formations to continue driving reforms that blend efficiency, transparency, and empathy. The conclave concluded with a renewed focus on accountability, technological transformation, and a collaborative effort to make India’s indirect tax and customs ecosystem truly world-class.