The Commercial Tax and Goods & Services Tax (CT & GST) Directorate, Odisha, organized a one-day state-level training workshop yesterday at the Madhusudan Das Regional Academy of Financial Management (MDRAFM), Bhubaneswar.
The workshop focused on Works Contract Services and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) provisions under the Odisha Goods and Services Tax (OGST) Act, 2017.
Designed specifically for Financial Advisors (FAs) across various state government departments, the session aimed to streamline compliance, resolve practical operational issues, and provide clear guidance regarding changes made to GST laws, rules, and rate structures since 2017.
Focus on Streamlined Approvals and Budget Efficiency
Addressing the assembled Financial Advisors, Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized that FAs play a crucial role as custodians of public resources in realizing the state’s vision of ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’ and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. She called upon financial officers to adopt a progressive, transformative, and growth-oriented mindset to help departmental secretaries accelerate budget spending and project delivery.
“Odisha continues to lead in sound financial management,” CS Garg noted. She stressed the importance of timely and effective utilization of state funds to meet developmental aspirations, urging FAs to proactively simplify and expedite financial approval processes.
Key growth sectors highlighted for priority funding and support included Tourism, Industries, Logistics & Infrastructure, & Revenue Augmentation
The workshop featured technical presentations and comprehensive reviews on:
- Works Contract Services & GST TDS implementation and compliance review.
- Service Fee Calculations & Compilations of relevant government circulars.
- Just-In-Time (JIT) Funding System implementation for transparent expenditure.
- Current Account Management by Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs).
Principal Secretary of Finance Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, Commissioner of CT & GST Yamingi Sarangi, and Special Secretary of Finance-cum-Director of MDRAFM Santosh Kumar Suar were among the senior dignitaries present.
The Finance Department advised all departments to issue clear, complete, and updated circulars to maintain strict financial discipline without slowing down project implementation.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Finance Officers
Following the main session, Chief Secretary Anu Garg addressed 48 probationary officers from the Odisha Finance Service (OFS) and Odisha Taxation & Accounts Service (2024 batch) currently undergoing training at the academy.
She advised the young officers to prioritize public service while maintaining absolute integrity, dedication, and accountability. Encouraging them to leverage digital tools, modern financial management techniques, and updated tax laws, she urged the probationers to translate their training into efficient service delivery that contributes directly to Odisha’s long-term development.
