Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxes Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a bilingual WhatsApp chat bot-cum-helpline to solve taxpayers’ questions about Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The chatbot is available in Punjabi and English language and can be used to get information on various aspects of GST, Mr Cheema announced during the monthly district-wise review meeting. As a part of the policy to strengthen the feedback mechanism and to improve taxpayer service delivery, the initiative has been launched.
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According to the FM, businessmen and citizens can use this chatbot for GST returns, registration, e-way bills, compositions, tax payments, e-invoices, ITC, and information regarding citizens through WhatsApp on the number ‘9160500033’. GST-related data and advice can be obtained from the office or officer. Through this service, users can also obtain information about technical concerns and complaints related to the government GST portal.
The Finance Minister also evaluated the Tax Department’s district-level performance. In appreciation of the district-level officers’ performance, Cheema encouraged them to ‘learn from one another and further enhance their professional strength’. Assuring the taxpayers that the department is working for their convenience, he advised the officers to adopt soft-spoken approaches toward them.
As per the opinion of the taxpayers, it is a welcome move by the Punjab government to quickly sort out technical GST issues with the help of new technology in a limited time period. WhatsApp facility is a better option but it should be in a convenient way, a tax expert expressed.
