By TIOL News Service

RAJKOT, JULY 15, 2016: THE city of Rajkot is perhaps the first city in India to witness the inauguration of 'School of Finance & Taxation' (SOFT) - an exclusive institute for imparting training in the field of indirect taxes, including the proposed GST.

Speaking on the occasion, TIOL Founder Editor, Mr Shailendra Kumar, explained the need for such institutes across the country and emphasised on its needs particularly when the country is on the cusp of ushering a new indirect tax regime. He urged the representatives from the trade and industry to make use of such specialised forum to train their staff handling taxation. Educated youth can also enhance their employability by doing such a course, he added.

Mr Binoy Kumar and Mr Pramod Vasave, both Addl Commissioner of Central Excise, at Ghaziabad and Rajkot respectively welcomed the concept of the school and hoped that by education, fear of tax and tax officials can be wiped out. They also said that this school would prove to be a bridge between the Department and the trade.

Dr. D.K. Ghosh, Professor, Saurashtra University, Rajkot, welcomed the idea of such a school and hoped this would help the local trade and provide employment opportunities to unemployed youth.

Mr Naresh Sinroja, Senior Advocate, said that though he is in the field of advocacy for about 40 years but he always felt the need for such an initiative.

The initiative to launch the School has been taken by Mr R C Prasad, a noted consultant and former Superintendent of Central Excise.