Agartala, July 21: The newly constructed GST Bhawan, a project for CGST, CX, and Customs Office in Agartala, Guwahati Zone, under the Central Board for Indirect Taxes (CBIC), was built at a cost of Rs. 28 crores.
The building comprises 8 floors, including the ground floor, and provides facilities and training space for GST-related matters.
During the event, Sitharaman highlighted the importance of enhancing border trade with Bangladesh, given Tripura’s status as a border state.
She stressed the need for customs authorities to remain vigilant while ensuring that trade between the two countries is facilitated, rather than hindered.
Addressing the gathering, the Union Minister expressed satisfaction that Tripura finally has its own GST Bhawan after a considerable wait.
She credited GST with driving significant development in revenue collection in the state since its introduction in 2018.
Sitharaman explained that GST, being a consumption-based tax, benefits states that have higher economic activity. She cited the remarkable growth in Tripura’s businesses and subsequent revenue generation after the implementation of GST. Prior to GST, Tripura received only Rs. 4.21 crore annually from central sales tax collection until 2016-17.
However, within a span of 5-6 years since GST’s introduction, the state has witnessed substantial progress. In the fiscal year 2022-23, Tripura collected Rs. 982.50 crores from inter-state GST.
The Minister expressed satisfaction that GST had proven to be advantageous for Northeastern states, and Tripura’s exemplary numbers were a testament to this fact.
Sitharaman acknowledged that Tripura still requires additional resources and urged greater coordination through GST to address the state’s needs.
She encouraged GST authorities to conduct outreach initiatives with the state government to help small businesses understand the benefits of enrolling in GST.
In the evening Siraman also attended a review meeting of the bankers in the state and flagged of the first solar operated mobile ATM of the Tripura Gramin bank.
The Union Minister is on a two days visit to the state and on Saturday she is likely to visit the Srimantapur checkpost in Sepahijala district and the Maitree Setu at Sabroom which will be connecting Tripura with Chittagong sea port in Bangladesh.
