Vanaja N Sarna appointed chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs

Vanaja N Sarna, a 1980 batch Indian Revenue Service officer, has been appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). Sarna was member (administration) in the CBEC, an apex policy making body for indirect taxes.

She will take over charge from incumbent Najib Shah who completes his term today (31March 2017).

Vanaja Sarna's appointment as CBEC chief comes at a time when the centre is gearing up to roll out goods and services tax (GST) from 1 July.

The CBEC will be responsible for ensuring successful roll out and subsequent implementation of the GST, with the help of VAT officers of state governments and others.

The board will also be rechristened as Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) after necessary legislative approval in the GST regime.

Vanaja N Sarna has served the CBEC in several capacities over the last 36 years. These include postings in customs, central excise and service tax formations in Kochi, Delhi, Chennai, Meerut, Chandigarh and Bangalore. She has also worked as additional director general, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), in Chennai.

She has also been additional director general in Directorate General of Revenue Intelligence, New Delhi.

Besides, she had served on deputation as undersecretary, legislative department, ministry of law and as director / joint secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Prior to becoming member, Central Board of Excise and Customs, she also held the charge of director general of vigilance and chief vigilance officer of the department.