Odisha readies IT infrastructure, manpower training for GST

The state govt has kicked off the processing of training manpower needed to get attuned to the new tax regime

Odisha is gearing up for roll out of the Goods & Service Tax (GST) scheduled for the next financial year.

Apart from strengthening the IT infrastructure needed for seamless implementation of GST, the state government has kicked off the processing of training manpower needed to get attuned to the new tax regime.

"Ten master trainers have been trained in Kolkata. Training of the trainers will begin shortly at Bhubaneswar in consultation with National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN)," said Odisha Finance Minister Pradip Amat.

Odisha has opted to be the Model two state of the GST network. The state government will use both the front-end and back-end developed by the GST Network (GSTN).

GSTN will install network equipment inside Odisha State Data Centre (OSDC) and provide dual connectivity to Odisha. One of the internet service providers (ISPs) has already completed the survey of the OSDC.

"Odisha is in favour of GST, which will reform the taxation system in the country. It will help in seamless movement of goods and services across the states and in growth of economy and industries," Amat said.

A state level empowered committee under the chairmanship of additional chief secretary, finance has been constituted to monitor IT preparedness and administrative capacity building of the state for roll out of GST. The state government has already gone for online processing of items like registration of dealers, filing of returns, payment of tax, issue of declaration forms and statutory notices under the VAT (value added tax).

The state government has backed the revised revenue model for GSTN which been formulated based on the recommendations of the committee on non-plan expenditure of Government of India. In the revised revenue model of GSTN, instead of setting up of a corpus fund, GSTN should obtain working capital credit from a commercial bank to meet its expenses in case any state delays in making payment of their estimates shares. Later on, the defaulting state will be required to pay their share along with 12 per cent interest per annum.