New Delhi, June 20 -- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday directed senior officials of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to close investigations swiftly, speed up tax refunds, and make goods and services tax (GST) registration easier.

At a meeting in the capital, Sitharaman also asked the officials to resolve grievances of businesses promptly while maintaining focus on tackling tax evasion and wrongful tax credit claims.

The minister reviewed the performance of Central GST and customs authorities and asked the principal chief commissioners, chief commissioners, and director generals of CBIC to enhance performance, fill vacant posts, and enhance administrative efficiency.

Officials informed the minister th...