GST implementation: Top-level vacancies in CBEC

The Central Board of Excise and Customs, the apex policy-making body on indirect taxes, has only two members against the sanctioned strength of six.

At present, senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, Vanaja N Sarna, is CBEC chairperson.

There are only two members in the board-- Ananya Ray and S Ramesh-- leaving four vacancies, a senior Finance Ministry official said.

Ram Tirath, another member, was given farewell on Friday and officially retires today.

The board and its officials are the key stakeholders in implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will be rolled out from July 1.