Port Blair, June 10: The Member of Parliament, Shri Kuldeep Rai Sharma has taken up the matter connected with GST compliance by the assesses of Andaman & Nicobar Islands with the Union Finance Minister of India. Kuldeep said that due to poor and interrupted internet connectivity in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the assesses of these Islands are not able to comply with various GST return filing compliances within the stipulated time.  Therefore keeping in view of difficulties being faced by the assesses, he requested the Finance Minister to consider for the following relief(s):-

(i)    A onetime opportunity be given to the assesses of these Islands to file their  GSTR3B and GSTR1 return from July 2017 to January, 2020 without late fees.

(ii)    Annual return in GSTR9/9C for the financial year 2017-18 be allowed to be filed by 30.09.2020 without late fees.

(iii)    The time limit of blocking of E.Way bill for Andaman & Nicobar Islands be extended to six months considering the remoteness of these Islands and poor internet connectivity.

(iv)    A one-time opportunity may be given to the assessee whose GST registration is cancelled to update the returns and regularize the registration within a specified time period without late fees.

(v)    To refund GST late fee paid by the assesses since the necessary infrastructure was not in place before introduction of GST in these Islands and as consequences, the assesses of these Islands has to face financial hardship.

(vi)    In respect of Pre-GST Construction Contracts of the various Government Department, the GST amount has not been reimbursed by the department.  The respective department may be instructed to release the GST claim amount on merits at the earliest.