“Chartered Accountant fraternity is an important link between Department and Assessees to propagate the benefits of ‘Sabka Vishwas’ i.e. the Legacy Dispute Resolution Scheme, 2019 of the Government of Indiaâ€, remarked Shri H. R. Bheemashankar, Hon. Chief Commissioner of Customs & GST, Nagpur while speaking as Chief Guest at an interactive meet on “Sabka Vishwas (Legacy Dispute Resolution) Scheme, 2019 organized by Nagpur Branch of WIRC of ICAI.
Hon. Chief Commissioner of Customs & GST, Nagpur Zone while interacting with Chartered Accountants said that a concern always remains for the success of any proposition of Government of India. After VCES and advent of GST Regime, sincere feeling was to get rid of the pendency’s with respect to the litigations and cases concerning Service Tax matters. This Sabka Vishwas Scheme, 2019 which started from 01st September’2019 and is in force up to 31st December’2019 only is the most wonderful opportunity and large hearted scheme given by Government to end all disputes. He briefed about the scheme and ensured all possible help to extend benefits of the scheme to the eligible dealers. Benefits under the Scheme explained by him was as under-
- Total waiver of interest and penalty
- Immunity from prosecution
- Cases pending in adjudication or appeal, a relief of 70% from the duty demand if it is Rs. fifty lakh or less and 50% if it is more than Rs. fifty lakhs.
- The same relief for cases under investigation and audit where the duty involved is quantified on or before 30th June, 2019.
- In case of an amount in arrears, the relief offered is 60% of the confirmed duty amount if the same is Rs. fifty lakhs or less and it is 40% in other cases.
In cases of voluntary disclosure, the declarant will have to pay only the full amount of disclosed duty without any interest / penalty.
Mr. Bheemashankar remarked that Government of India has imposed due faith in CAs. CAs are the only professionals who can help Government in bringing desired success to the scheme. The scheme is going to prove win-win for both the sides being revenue authorities on one hand who will get their age-long pendency’s cleared and tax payers on the other hand, who will be eligible to get rid of old cases by payment of discounted demands and also waiver of interest and penalties proposed to be levied, to a great extent, remarked Hon. Chief Commissioner of Customs & GST, Nagpur Zone.
Mr. Sandeep Puri, Hon. Commissioner Appeals, Guest of Honour, on the occasion, also effectively conveyed to use full benefit of the scheme. He appealed to spread words of knowledge among the respective clients to take due opportunity of the scheme. He shared his experience of dealing with the cases and said that – a person with well organized workings is always appreciated because he is the one, who is considered as well planned. Summing up his talk, Shri Sandeep Puri, ensured to lend all possible help in dealing with interpretational issues, etc. with respect to the provisions of the scheme.
Mr. Mukul Patil, Jt. Commissioner, Nagpur Zone, deliberated and threw light with respect to various important clauses, benefits prescribed, etc. He with his powerpoint presentation, very effectively enlightened the audience with respect to the provisions of the scheme.
CA Varun Vijaywargi, speaker on the occasion, played his role effectively by helping the members present in analyzing the provisions of the scheme under consideration. His efforts to share the knowledge and research in his subject, were clearly evident from the effective deliberation, made by him on the occasion. He shared practical cases as well to deal with the provisions and help the clients to take due benefit under the scheme.
CA Suren Duragkar, Chairman of the Nagpur Branch of ICAI, lauded the noble gesture and cordial approach of Shri Bheemashankar, to share his words of wisdom with Chartered Accountants. He assured the revenue authorities, that Chartered Accountants are working shoulder to shoulder with department to ensure achieving the desired success with respect to scheme. He appreciated the move of the Government and conveyed that it is need of the hour for the authorities, professionals and tax payers, as well, to conclude the pending litigations.
Also, GST Regime which is sufficient to take care of the desired transparency in the matter of complying with provisions prevailing in country, requires reducing undue burden of disputed issues and concentrating in the matter of effective implementation of the provisions of GST, he remarked. He conveyed that Nagpur Branch always acts proactively in the matter of arranging various seminars and study circles to update the members with respect to the changes in Act and Rules.
CA Suren Duragkar while welcoming the dignitaries from CGST Department remarked that presence of all the top authorities of Customs and GST gives indication of positive approach of the authorities in the matter of this scheme. In true sense, the authorities are showing gesture to win ‘Sabka Vishwas’, he remarked. 
CA Kirit Kalyani, Vice Chairman of the Branch, very effectively coordinated the event. He informed the members to forward their queries if any, to Nagpur Branch, which will be compiled and forwarded to the Authorities concerned for getting required resolutions for the same. Shri Bheemashankar Sir has assured to get the same resolved, he remarked.
Prominently present on the occasion were Hon. Jt. Commissioners – Mr. Nilesh Rautkar & Mr. Brijendra Choudhary, Hon. Deputy Commissioners – Mr. Swachhand Chauhan & Mr. Swapnil Pawar, Assistant Commissioner – Mr. Nikhil Vadnam, Superintendents – Mr. Suresh Rayulu, Mr. Milind Pusadkar, Mr. Santosh Pawraj, Mr. Anil Pandit and Mr. Sagar Jugade. Queries of the members were resolved by Hon. Chief Commissioner Shri H. R. Bheemashankar, Hon. Commissioner (Appeals) Mr. Sandeep Pure, Hon. Joint Commissioner Mr. Mukul Patil and Superintendent Mr. Suresh Rayulu.
Formal vote of thanks was proposed by Secretary CA Saket Bagdia.
Also present on the occasion were CA Akshay Gulhane, CA. Sanjay M. Agrawal, CA Julfesh Shah, Former Vice Chairman WIRC, CA Lalit Loya, CA Satish Sarda, CA Manav Moholkar, CA Rajesh Kabra, CA Atish Dhanuka, CA Girdharilal Sharma and around 125 CA Members.