The Jammu and Kashmir Branch of the Northern India Regional Council of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India organised an important GST-focused seminar on “GSTR-9, GSTR-9C and GST Litigations” at ICAI Bhawan, Canal Road. The programme was conducted under the guidance of the GST and Indirect Taxes Committee of ICAI and witnessed active participation from chartered accountants and tax professionals, reflecting the growing importance of accurate annual GST compliance and litigation preparedness.
Emphasis on Timely and Accurate Annual GST Compliance
P. K. Bhat, Commissioner (State Taxes), Jammu and Kashmir, attended the seminar as the Chief Guest and appreciated ICAI’s consistent efforts in spreading GST awareness among professionals. During his address, he highlighted the critical role of correct and timely filing of GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C annual returns in ensuring transparency, reducing disputes, and strengthening the overall tax administration framework. He also encouraged professionals to focus on reconciliation accuracy and documentation discipline to avoid unnecessary litigation.
ICAI J&K Branch Highlights Professional Development Goals
In his welcome address, CA Sourav Pargal, Chairman of the ICAI Jammu and Kashmir Branch, underlined the branch’s commitment to continuous professional development. He stated that the objective of the seminar was to address real-world issues faced by members while dealing with annual GST returns and litigation matters, especially in light of evolving compliance requirements and increasing departmental scrutiny.
Technical Sessions on GSTR-9, GSTR-9C and GST Litigation
The seminar featured in-depth technical deliberations by experienced professionals. CA Navya Malhotra delivered a detailed session on GSTR-9 and GSTR-9C, covering critical reporting areas, reconciliation between returns and books of accounts, common errors observed during filing, and practical challenges faced by professionals while finalising annual returns. The session focused on aligning data across returns to minimise future disputes and ensure compliance accuracy.
CA Tarun Arora conducted an insightful session on GST litigation, where he discussed departmental notices, audit proceedings, documentation standards, and recent trends in dispute resolution under GST. He shared practical guidance on handling notices effectively, maintaining robust records, and preparing cases with a preventive compliance approach to reduce litigation exposure.
Smooth Conduct and Active Participation
The programme was moderated by CA Jatin Malhotra, Secretary of the branch, who ensured smooth coordination of sessions and encouraged interactive discussions between speakers and participants. The structured flow of the seminar allowed members to gain clarity on complex issues and engage in meaningful knowledge exchange.
Vote of Thanks and Branch Support
CA Amit Gupta, Vice Chairman, delivered the formal vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, speakers, and participating members for their valuable contributions. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Branch Management Committee members, including CA Ayush Sawhney and CA Ayush Mahajan, for their support in organising the seminar efficiently.
Positive Response from Participants
The seminar concluded on a positive note, with participants appreciating the practical and technically rich content shared during the sessions. Members also acknowledged the continued efforts of the ICAI Jammu and Kashmir Branch in organising knowledge-driven programmes that support professionals in keeping pace with GST compliance, annual return filing, and litigation developments for the year 2025.