GST training for State tax officers

A five-day refresher-cum-training on Goods and Services Tax (GST) for State Tax Officers began Monday at the Training Hall of the Commissioner of State Taxes office, Dimapur.
The training is being conducted by the Commissionerate of State Taxes, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), Zonal Training Institute, Shillong.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Additional Commissioner of NACIN, Shillong, Issac R. Kharkongor stressed the need for continuous learning in a changing tax environment. He said the training was requested by the State Tax Department to strengthen officer capacity.
Kharkongor said that while many officers have field experience, regular training was essential to refresh their understanding of tax laws and procedures. He noted that GST involves navigating multiple rules and notifications, and a deeper grasp of the law boosts officer confidence and improves public service. He expressed hope the training would support better tax collection and curb fraud.
State Taxes Commissioner, Abhinav Shivam, in his keynote address, described GST as a dynamic system requiring regular updates. He admitted that Nagaland lags in GST collection—both in average and per capita terms—and cited tax evasion as a key challenge. Shivam highlighted the need for better tax compliance to fund development. “Tax revenue supports salaries, roads and services,” he said, while pointing to the state’s progress in recovering over Rs.10 crore in arrears in four months (Feb–May 2025). Despite constraints like infrastructure gaps and economic limitations, he said the department had made strides by attending trainings across Guwahati, Shillong, Kolkata and Delhi. He called the programme a “renewed commitment” to transparency and financial accountability. Earlier, the session opened with a prayer led by Deputy Commissioner of Taxes, Chievitshu Nyuthe.