The Goods and Services Tax (GST) department will install a registration system on November 7 that will be rolled out from Vapi in a formal event. The department will now collect biometric data of an applicant at the time of registration for new GST number.

Gujarat will be the first state in the country to roll-out the system of biometric data based registration. Union minister for finance and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to remain present at the event and launch the project virtually at 10 centres across the state.

“The Union minister will launch the project from Vapi and Gujarat is the first state in the country to launch this project. After the pilot project, the GST registration with biometric data will be rolled out in other states too,” said Kanu Desai, cabinet minister for finance.

“Gujarat was the first state to launch ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ successfully. Now, we are launching this project. Vapi was chosen for being the country’s leading chemical hub,” added Desai.

In the new registration method, an applicant has to give a thumb impression along with various identification documents. “This will help ensure that the applicant is genuine. The GST applicant can be called for verification in future if required,” said a senior GST official.

“In the recent past, a few individuals have claimed that GST registration is done on their name without their knowledge. They claimed that their bank and identity documents were used without informing them,” an official added.

The new system will also help the GST department trace any individual in case of fraud. Recently frauds have been reported in which input tax credits were claimed by individuals with fake identification papers.

“So, when the department collects thumb impressions there will no chances of such frauds. An applicant can’t deny that he did not apply for GST registration,” said an officer.