Enact Law to Prevent Violence against Doctors IIPA & AHA organize Panel Discussion.

"5th shri Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture"

Jammu (March 28, 2018)

Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) J&K Regional Branch today organized the 5th Shri Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture on “Effectiveness of GST” in memory of Late Shri Ram Sahai, one of the founding members of the Regional Branch. Shri Parveen Kashyap, Director, Grant Thornton India LLP and Shri Adarsh Gupta, Grant Thornton India LLP jointly delivered the memorial lecture. Jenab Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Chief Information Commissioner J&K was the Chief Guest of the function. The function was held under the guidance of Dr. Ashok Bhan, Patron IIPA, and Er J.B.S.Johar Hony Secretary, J&K Regional Branch.

Shri Parveen Kashyap, Director, Grant Thornton India LLP and Shri. Adarsh Gupta, Grant Thornton India LLP made a detailed presentation highlighting the genesis and effectiveness of GST. While giving the consultant perspective, they said that GST has been able to bring uniformity in the taxation structure in the country. While taking about the recent updates including E-Way bill, reverse charge mechanism, increased transparency they suggested that there is a need to eliminate the technical glitches, integrate the IT system and rationalize the tax structures in the long run. While sharing the national level statistics, they informed that J&K still lacks in terms of GST compliance as only 65% of the business in filing the returns.

Sh. Gyan Sarvar, IRS, Commissioner CGST and Central Excise Commissionerate, J&K in his address said that, GST is a big reform measure and in a complex and diverse economy like India, the system shall soon stabilize and it is premature to draw conclusions. He said it is important to contrast the difference between efficiency and effectiveness of the GST system. He said that though at the initial phase, the compliance cost for the business is high, it is expected to come down with the overall system getting mature.

Jenab Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Chief Information Commissioner, in his address remembered the contribution of Sh. Ram Sahai to business society in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that ‘GST is a big change for the society and appropriate measures at the policy level should be ensured so that the business is enabled to adhere to the new changes.” He suggested that the knowledge of technology among the masses in J&K should be promoted, so that the conformation to new changes in the governance systems is embraced by the society.

Dr Ashok Bhan, Patron, IIPA, J&K Branch in his presidential remarks while paying homage to Sh. Ram Sahai said that he bought together the voice of common man and systemic changes. He looked into the effectiveness of GST from the consumer perspective and raised the concern whether the benefits of GST are reaching the end consumers. He said that periodic review is essential to ensure that the real benefits of GST reach all the stakeholders.

Earlier Er. J B S Johar, Hony Secretary, IIPA paid rich tributes to Sh. Ram Sahai and recollected his immense contribution to the growth of IIPA in J&K. Sh. Vikrant Kuthiala, Hony Treasures, IIPA J&K Regional Branch formally introduced the speakers and set the platform for the lecture. Shri Rahul Sahai, Chairman, Sahai Group of Companies in his concluding remarks raised the concern of the business of Jammu & Kashmir and urged upon the policy makers and implementers to address the concerns of the local stakeholders. Prof Alka Sharma, Director (Seminars), IIPA conducted the proceedings of the function.