The GST and Customs Pavilion, presented by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), has won a Bronze Medal for Excellence in Public Communication and Outreach at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024. This prestigious award highlights the Pavilion’s outstanding efforts in raising taxpayer awareness and ensuring smooth information sharing.
The Bronze Medal recognizes the Pavilion’s innovative approach to connecting taxpayers with tax administrators. Through engaging storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and direct interaction, the Pavilion made complex tax topics more understandable and accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Attracting over 85,000 visitors, the Pavilion proved highly effective in engaging the public. The theme, Facilitating Trade, Fostering Economy, aimed to provide an interactive and informative experience, educating attendees about Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Customs procedures. Key highlights of the Pavilion included dynamic exhibits and displays showcasing important aspects of India’s Indirect Tax ecosystem.
For the first time, the Pavilion introduced the Red Indian Panda as its official mascot, making the experience even more memorable. During the event, 687 queries related to GST and Customs were resolved on the spot, while a total of 4,514 general queries about the department were addressed.
To further educate visitors, the Pavilion featured tutorial videos on topics like e-invoice under GST, GST registration, and Aadhar-based biometric authentication. These videos were available in English, Hindi, and 10 regional languages, strengthening regional outreach across the country. 53 brochures on various GST and Customs topics were also available, and visitors can now download them from the CBIC website.
An exciting demonstration by the Pavilion’s Customs K9, PARO, showcasing the dog’s skills in detecting narcotics, which was a big hit with the audience.
The Pavilion also set up dedicated helpdesks, staffed by experienced tax professionals and officials, offering on-the-spot guidance for return filing, query resolution, and updates on the latest tax regulations.
The GST and Customs Pavilion’s success at IITF 2024 is a testament to its commitment to educating taxpayers and ensuring transparency in India’s tax system.
