On 30^th August 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the instructions at a PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) meeting with top central and state officials where he reviewed the progress of GST registrations. He has asked all states to form special teams and carry out drives to increase the number of traders registered under the goods and services tax. According to officials, the PM told states that the teams should go out and guide traders who have to register under the GST regime. This exercise should be completed in 15-20 days.

The government released a statement just before a day of the meeting saying that out of 72.33 lakh taxpayers –

• 53 lakh taxpayers have already migrated to GSTN.
• 8 lakh are yet to complete procedural formalities to migrate to GST Network (GSTN).

The number of new taxpayers who have completed GST registrations with the GSTN up to 29 August is 18.83 lakh.

PRAGATI meeting held on 12^th July 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked state chief secretaries to implement GST registrations by 15^th August and directed Cabinet Secretary PK Sinha to monitor the process.

PRAGATI meeting held on 30^thAugust 2017

The PM praised the team of Government of India and states/UTs for the “good work” in the implementation of GST. The PM, however, urged states to use more technology for smoother functioning and implementation of GST.

Review of Government E-Marketplace Project

Narendra Modi reviewed his other pet project — Government e-Marketplace (GeM) — at the PRAGATI meeting and asked states to “make active use” of the e-commerce portal for procurement and submit a report to the cabinet secretary by 20^th September On the status of adopting the platform.

GeM enables the government to buy goods and services at competitive prices and Modi impressed upon the states that this will ensure transparency.

Nine states have so far agreed to adopt GeM – Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur and UP.

Well, the traders should get their GST registrations done so that the things become smoother and the insight view of PM Modi gets the exact shape as he thought of.