Finance Minister Choudhary inaugurated the new office of the State GST Department

Raipur, November 18

Chhattisgarh Finance Minister Shri OP Choudhary on Tuesday inaugurated the new state-of-the-art office of the Commissioner of State Taxes (GST), developed on the 5th and 6th floors of the CBD Building in Nava Raipur. The event was attended by Finance Secretary Mr Mukesh Bansal, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Mr. Satish Thaurani and its representatives, CAIT National Vice President Mr Amar Parwani, members of the CA and Bar Associations, along with officers and employees from the Raipur headquarters and other divisions.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Choudhary said, “A strong economy is possible only when trade flourishes and businesses receive simple, transparent and supportive tax administration. Public welfare initiatives can be strengthened only when the state’s revenue system is robust.” He emphasised that the government expects GST officials to resolve business-related issues promptly, assist traders with technical challenges, and guide them clearly on rules and procedures.
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*GST 2.0: Relief to the Public, Boost to Business and Employment*
The Finance Minister said that the primary objective of the GST 2.0 tax reforms is to ease the tax burden on common citizens, increase consumption, generate employment and strengthen small businesses and farmers. He noted that these reforms are expected to provide annual savings of ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 for the average Indian family, while also increasing the income of farmers, small businesses and artisans by 10–20%.
Shri Choudhary added that lowering the tax rates on health, education and essential goods would boost household spending and make life easier and more secure. He directed officials that ensuring the full and timely transfer of GST 2.0 benefits to every section of society is the department’s foremost responsibility.
He further said that the GST 2.0 structure, implemented on September 22, has simplified the tax framework and significantly reduced the tax rates on several items. He instructed officers to ensure that the benefits of these reforms reach traders, middle-class families, farmers, students and consumers smoothly and without any hurdles.
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*Outstanding Taxpayers Honored*
During the programme, outstanding taxpayers for the year 2024–25 were felicitated with the Taxpayer Appreciation Awards in recognition of high tax contributions, exemplary compliance and consistent growth. Notable awardees included Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, HDFC Bank, UltraTech Cement, MPCG Mobile Pvt. Ltd., NTPC, Reliance Retail Limited, Sarda & Minerals, Ministry of Railways, Bhilai Steel Plant and Abyss Foods & Protein Pvt. Ltd.
The Finance Minister said that honouring such taxpayers is an important step toward promoting voluntary compliance and strengthening the state’s revenue culture.
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*A Step Towards Modern, Transparent, and Taxpayer-Friendly Administration*
In his concluding remarks, the Finance Minister said that the new office building in Nava Raipur would enhance the State Tax Department’s transparency, efficiency and taxpayer-friendly services. He said the new facility represents a modern administrative system and a seamless tax service mechanism, setting a new benchmark for public service delivery.