Speaking at the closing event of Two-day GST training, Nagaland Deputy noted that while Nagaland’s business community, particularly in Dimapur, initially faced challenges with the GST’s adoption, encountering strong resistance—especially from the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI)—training programmes would be beneficial.
Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Two-day GST training dubbed as the “GST refresher training cum stakeholders’ meet 2024” organised by the state taxes department, Nagaland, in association with the GST network, New Delhi, culminated on Friday evening at the Niathu Zone, Choumoukedima.
Nagaland’s former Chief Minister and current Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who served as the chief guest at the closing program, reminded attendees that although the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in 2017, many people remain unfamiliar with its workings. This lack of understanding has hindered full acceptance of the concept. He noted that while Nagaland’s business community, particularly in Dimapur, initially faced challenges with the GST’s adoption, encountering strong resistance—especially from the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DCCI)—training programs would be beneficial. Zeliang emphasized that these initiatives could significantly aid in educating stakeholders, ultimately benefiting Naga society over time.
Zeliang said that from small to medium business and large corporations, everything is based on GST and it is now sort of mandatory to have a very good command over it for a successful turnover.
More importantly, he said, understanding of Input Tax Credit (ITC)- a critical feature of GST, can significantly impact business finances if managed correctly by keeping and maintaining accurate documentation to a key in claiming ITC and with the right knowledge, it would simplify and assist in the claim process.
Later, Zeliang said that in this digital age, where things get evolved in a blink of an eye, it is important that regular training and workshop is conducted to stay updated and acquainted with the new functionalities available in the GST Portal.
“From Taxpayers to state and centre GST departments, tax practitioners to government departments and every citizen that makes up the GST ecosystem, should all have the requisite knowledge and understanding of the working mechanism. By learning from common mistakes that businesses make while filing GST returns and complying, it will help avoid penalties and ensure a smooth experience”, the deputy chief minister added.
Having to learn that the GSTN, New Delhi, the provider of IT infrastructure services to both Central and State Governments, taxpayers and other stakeholders for implementation of GST in India, has been consistently assisting the State of Nagaland for smooth and effective implementation in the State,
He was pleased to know that it was the second training being conducted in the state of Nagaland, inorder train the tax authorities and also to educate the
stakeholders to facilitate smooth GST compliance by all concerned, it obliged that it would
continue to look forward for more such training and workshop in the days to come hoping that the state government would always encourage and support to organise such programme.
TR Zeliang also mentioned that Nagaland being a consumer state, has greatly benefited from the implementation of GST and the state has witnessed a tremendous improvement in the sales tax revenue compared to the earlier tax regime while acknowledging that the GST has brought about revolutionizing change in India’s indirect taxation system and also simplified compliance.
The state government is happy to note that the state tax department has introduced and become the first among North Eastern States to implement AADHAAR based biometric authentication for registration in the state to prevent fake “Registration” and thereby check generation of fake invoices to evade tax.
He said that the government of Nagaland is ensuring that the tax bases is further widened by bringing all liable dealers into the GST system and prevent evasion of tax in the state. Regulations provided under the Act should be utilised to plug loopholes and streamline the process of revenue collection for which he encouraged the tax officials to remain vigilant and ensure effective tax administration with transparency and accountability.
The programme chaired by special commissioner of State taxes, Nagaland, Y Mhathung Murry, also saw assistant vice-president, training and design, GSTN, Satheswaran Kalyanasundaram, giving a short speech.
Keynote address was delivered by advisor, taxes and CAWD, Keducho Khamo, while a special song in the tune of Chakhesang folk song was presented by Dzuve Cultural Club.
Commissioner of state taxes, Abhinav Shivam, delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme concluded with benediction by additional commissioner of state taxes, Areni Patton.