We will iron out the GST bugs for smooth filing: Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO, UIDAI

The glitches reported in the GST Network over the last two months could be temporary difficulties in the beginning, says Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of UIDAI, who was given additional charge as chairman of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Network last week. In an exclusive interview with ET, Pandey says his priority will be to ensure smooth implementation of the system. Edited excerpts:

What will be your top priorities or focus areas?
At this stage, I have just started getting myself briefed on the various aspects of GSTN. The GST Network is the backbone of GST and is very critical and important for the country. My first and immediate priority will be to ensure smooth implementation the system.

There have reportedly been some glitches in the running of the GSTN. How do you plan to fix these glitches?
There could be some temporary difficulties in the beginning. At this time, I can assure that we will take all possible measures to ensure robustness of the system, so that people are able to file their returns in a smooth manner.

Since you are also CEO of UIDAI and have been associated with it since its very inception, how do you plan to synergise Aadhaar with GST?
Aadhaar, which provides a robust mechanism to authenticate identity of the individuals, will be leveraged appropriately in GSTN as permissible under the law.

What are some of the best practices/learnings that you would like to bring from UIDAI to GST?
Both UIDAI and GSTN are among largest IT systems not only in India but in the whole world. Both are extremely vital for the country. There will be lot of scope of learning from each other.