The Office of the Principal Chief Commissioner of GST & Central Excise, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, celebrated the 9th GST Day in Chennai on 01 July 2026. This landmark event marks 9 years since the implementation of the historic Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation across the country on 01 July 2017.  Shri Pradip Kumar Suman, Principal Commissioner, Chennai North, delivered the welcome address wherein he outlined that GST Day serves to commemorate a defining turning point in India’s economic playbook.

The event was presided over by Shri Madan Mohan Singh, I.R.S., Principal Chief Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry. The distinguished line up included the Chief Guest, Shri H. Shankar, Managing Director of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, and the Guest of Honour, Shri S.K. Vimalanathan, I.R.S., Chief Commissioner of Chennai Customs Zone. The gathering was well-attended by retired Indian Revenue Service officers, including former Chief Commissioners and Commissioners, alongside senior GST officials. The guest list also featured senior representatives from the legal fraternity, Appellate Tribunals, CAG, Income Tax, SAFEMFOPA, banking institutions, State GST authorities, prominent business leaders and representatives from various tax and auditor associations. The theme for the 9th GST Day 2026 is "GST – Simplified Tax System: Empowered India"

Delivering the keynote address, the Principal Chief Commissioner, CGST & Central Excise, Shri Madan Mohan Singh, I.R.S., outlined the growth of GST, its importance in transforming nation’s economic landscape and also assured that the department was ready for any positive development that is expected in the evolution of GST.  These milestones were showcased in a commemorative video highlighting the 9-year journey and achievements of the Chennai CGST Zone.

The Guest of Honour, Shri S.K. Vimalanathan, I.R.S., Chief Commissioner, Chennai Customs Zone, shared his thoughts on the importance of taxation emphasising that for a nation a good taxation system is no less than the god and the king. Tracing the history of taxation from the Sangam era to the implementation of GST in 2017 he emphasised that GST has brought in unprecedented ease in free movement of goods and highlighted the importance of cooperative federalism, centre state coordination and proactive role of GST council in it’s successful implementation. He further emphasised that the recent GST 2.0 reforms is a step in the right direction to reaffirm our simplified taxation system for a stronger India.

The Chief Guest of the evening, Shri H. Shankar, Managing Director, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, then addressed the gathering, sharing his delight in being invited to this occasion  as someone who is a part of the Industry. He spoke of demonetisation and implementation of GST as two transforming factors for the Indian economic architecture. He further highlighted these game changing reforms brought in several positive systemic changes, speeding India’s economic integration by reducing simplifying tax procedures for taxpayers. He further highlighted that the industry welcomes GST and the various digitisation and technology measures adopted to make taxation almost paperless and effortless.

The occasion also featured the distribution of commendation certificates to the best-performing tax officers, prominent taxpayers, and eminent sports personalities. The formal proceedings concluded with a vibrant cultural program presented by the GST officers, which was warmly received by the audience, followed by a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Shivprakash Veeresh Baddi, Additional Commissioner of CGST & Central Excise, Chennai North Commissionerate.

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