Customs and Central Excise department has honoured a top private sector service tax payer Rajeev Dwivedi-proprietor of a manpower supply agency-by nominating him as first "Guest Assistant Commissioner" for a day on Friday.

Dwivedi, who owns M/s Prime One Workforce Private Limited, has paid service tax to the tune of Rs three crore during nine months from April to December 2011.

Customs and Central Excise Assistant Commissioner S K Bansal said honouring top service tax payer with guest assistant commissioner's designation is a new initiative to encourage tax payers to deposit taxes.

After being designated as guest assistant commissioner of the day, Dwivedi was picked up from his home in the official vehicle and directively driven to the office of the commissioner in the Paryavas Bhawan. he incumbent assistant commissioner S K Bansal briefed him about the department's functioning.

"It's a good experience", Dwivedi told reporters after being honoured with the designation of guest assistant commissioner.