Business: Small and low-risk businesses no longer have to wait long for GST registration. Under the new Saral GST Registration Scheme of the GST Department, which came into effect from Saturday, such businessmen will get registration within three working days.

Who can participate?
The GST department said the scheme is for small and low-risk businesses, which the GST system identifies based on data analysis, or those businesses who self-assess that their monthly output tax liability will not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh (which includes CGST, SGST/UTGST and IGST). This scheme will be completely voluntary, businessmen can join it or can opt out of it if required.

The new system will benefit 96 percent of new applicants.
The GST Council, comprising central and state finance ministers, had approved the scheme in its meeting on September 3. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said at the inauguration ceremony of CGST Bhawan in Ghaziabad that this new system starting from November 1 will benefit about 96 percent of new applicants. He said that it will be the responsibility of the field officers to implement this process smoothly and not allow any hindrance in it.

More than 1.54 crore businesses registered under GST
Sitharaman has directed CBIC to set up a special help desk at GST Seva Kendras to provide assistance to new taxpayers in the registration process. At present, more than 1.54 crore businesses are registered under GST in the country.