Surat, the state’s economic hub, has achieved another national distinction by securing the top position in the country for speedy disposal of processes, including GST registration.
Earlier, traders in Surat often had to wait 30 to 35 days to receive their GST registration number. The process has now been reduced to around three days. Surat CGST was also recognised in Delhi for its improved turnaround time.
Other processes, including cancellation of registrations, are also being processed more quickly.
Surat rises from 90th to first position
Surat had earlier ranked 90th in the nationwide performance assessment. However, administrative changes following the appointment of CGST Commissioner Manpreet Arora have significantly improved the system.
Additional staff was deployed in areas receiving a large number of applications, particularly the Ring Road textile market. Continuous monitoring of pending applications and other processes was also introduced.
As a result, around 50,000 new GST registrations have been completed in Surat during the current financial year. Together, CGST and SGST have around 3.5 lakh GST registrations in the city, covering textile and diamond businesses as well as an increasing number of online traders.
An tax expert said, “The demand for GST registrations in Surat is likely to continue rising every year because of the city’s expanding economic activity.”
More staff deployed in busy market areas
CGST Commissioner Manpreet Arora said, “The department’s priority was to make GST registration easier and ensure that traders’ issues were resolved quickly.”
He said, “The Ring Road area, which has a high concentration of textile markets, receives a large number of registration and form-related applications. Additional staff has therefore been deployed in the area to speed up processing and prevent traders from facing delays.”
He added, “Officials are also continuously monitoring the operations, which they say has helped Surat CGST achieve the top position nationally.”
Fast service for genuine traders, tighter action against bogus billing
While genuine traders are receiving faster registration and refund services, CGST enforcement teams have simultaneously intensified action against bogus billing.
The department has also expanded its scrutiny to previously less-organised sectors. Officials have recently begun investigating large-scale pani puri vendors and hawkers to bring eligible businesses into the formal tax network, claiming that the drive has yielded significant results.
Simpler process encourages small traders to enter formal economy
Earlier, entrepreneurs often had to wait nearly a month for GST registration, delaying the start of their businesses and keeping their working capital tied up.
With registration now being completed in around three days, new businesses can start billing and operating sooner. He said the simplified process would encourage more small traders to join the formal economy.
