The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS) held a seminar-cum-webinar on tax literacy, mental health awareness, and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan at the University of Mumbai. The event aimed to promote responsible citizenship among students.
The Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS), a wing under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), organised a Hybrid Outreach Programme (Seminar-cum-Webinar) on ‘Empowered Youth, Responsible Citizens: Tax Literacy, Mental Health Awareness and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan’ at the Garware Institute of Career Education and Development (UM-GICED), University of Mumbai. The event took place at Kalina Campus on October 10, 2026. The programme aimed to bring together three important dimensions of responsible citizenship: tax literacy, mental health awareness, and the Government of India’s Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, with the objective of promoting informed decision-making and responsible conduct among young citizens.
Dr. Keyurkumar M. Nayak, Director of UM-GICED, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the role of collaboration between educational institutions and government organisations in extending awareness initiatives beyond conventional academic learning and fostering informed, responsible citizenship among students. Shri Sumit Kumar, Principal Additional Director General of DGTS, spoke about the importance of tax literacy, mental health awareness, and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, highlighting the need for creating awareness about mental well-being, stress management, and the harmful effects of substance abuse. He also explained the interlinkages between Customs and GST, particularly in the context of international trade, tax compliance, input tax credit, export procedures, and refund mechanisms.
Mental Health Awareness and Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan were discussed by Ms. Chaula Patel, a Psychologist and Psychotherapist, who emphasized the importance of mental well-being and its close link with substance abuse. She explained how stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress can contribute to substance use, emphasizing the importance of early identification, timely counselling, and professional support. The session underscored the need to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and addiction and promote psychological resilience, seeking timely help, and fostering a supportive, drug-free environment for youth.
’Linkages between Customs and GST’ were discussed by Shri Deepak Mata, Deputy Commissioner of CC Office, CGST, Mumbai, who highlighted the importance of understanding both laws for Customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics professionals, particularly those preparing for the Customs Broker’s examination. He explained the interlinkages between Customs procedures and GST provisions, including assessment and clearance of goods, collection of IGST on imports, input tax credit, and export refund mechanisms. He emphasized how errors in GSTIN, declared values, and discrepancies between shipping bills and GST returns could affect tax compliance and delay refunds.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
