The National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) has been trained about three-fourth of the targeted 60,000 field officials who would be instrumental in implementing the new indirect tax regime Goods and Service Tax (GST).
The Academy has been tasked with the mammoth training target of 60,000 officials of both the Centre and states.
As per the latest NACEN data (up to December 17), 44,259 field officers have been trained.
The government intends to roll out the GST regime from April, but there are apprehensions that the date would be missed because the all-powerful GST Council is yet to iron out several vexed issues, including jurisdiction of Centre and state governments over taxpayers.
The Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state finance ministers, has so far met seven times after Parliament amended the Constitution for implementation of GST.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 3 and 4 to decide on the contentious issue of dual control over assessees and the legislation on IGST.
NACEN data further stated that 2,060 trainers have been trained against the target of 1,600. Similarly 310 master trainers have been skilled, thus surpassing the target of 300.
As many as 36 officers from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to have been imparted the necessary training.
CBEC officials have already been deputed to the GST Network, the IT backbone of the new indirect tax regime.
NDTV Profit, 02 January 2016
