RONO HILLS, Nov 6: A two-day national seminar on ‘GST Reforms and Socio-Economic Transformation in North-East India: Pathways to Inclusive Growth and Regional Development’, organized by the Department of Commerce, Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, commenced at the RGU premises here today.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof Shivaraj, Vice Chancellor Rajiv Gandhi University, and Prof Atul Sarma, former VC of RGU, along with distinguished dignitaries, experts, faculty members, research scholars and students.
Addressing the gathering, CA Mrityunjay Acharjee, General Manager (Finance), Numaligarh Refinery Limited, Assam, shared his specialised insights into the evolving GST framework and its implications for the socio-economic development of the North-Eastern region. Drawing upon revenue statistics and the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam, he highlighted the contributions of various sectors, including healthcare and insurance, real estate and infrastructure, agriculture and allied activities, tourism, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He emphasised how these sectors contribute to the region's economic growth and development.
He further elaborated on GST 2.0 and the emergence of a new era in India's taxation landscape, discussing its socio-economic implications and the role of GST as a catalyst for economic development. He also highlighted the importance of transforming India's taxation and business environment to realise the country's ambition of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy by FY 2028–29.
Shyam Kanu Mahanta, Commissioner of Central Goods and Services Tax (Itanagar), delivered an insightful address on the GST landscape of Arunachal Pradesh. Through a presentation and an informative video, he highlighted key indicators of the State's revenue performance, including GST registration density, GST revenue per active registration, per capita GST revenue and a comparative analysis of four states. His presentation provided valuable insights into the progress of GST implementation and its contribution to the state's revenue generation.
He encouraged students to gain practical exposure to GST administration. In this regard, he extended an invitation to students to undertake internships at GST offices across various districts of Arunachal Pradesh, subject to institutional requirements, to strengthen their practical knowledge and fulfil the academic requirements of their Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes.
Prof Sarma shared his perspectives on the role of GST in promoting enterprise development, industrial processing and strengthening the food value chain. Drawing examples from the economic progress of various North Eastern states, he highlighted the potential of effective taxation policies and enterprise development in accelerating regional economic transformation.
In his address, the VC appreciated the efforts made towards creating an academic platform for meaningful discussions on GST reforms and their socio-economic implications. He also encouraged the participants and appreciated the research paper presenters for addressing relevant and significant dimensions of GST, particularly in the context of the NE region.
The two-day national seminar aims to provide an academic platform for researchers, academicians, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on the changing GST framework, its implications for regional economies, and its potential to promote inclusive growth, fiscal sustainability and socio-economic transformation in North East India.