While taking stock of the State Government’s preparation for the upcoming Niti Aayog meeting in Delhi on April 23, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat asked the officials concerned on Friday to go to the meeting with full details of the projects of the state being affected by the execution of the eco sensitive zone announcement of the Central Government. He also asked details from the officials present on the matters like revenue, agriculture , digital India, eco sensitive zone and green bonus, issues which are likely to come up during the crucial meeting.
It is learnt that in course of the meeting, the officials apprised the CM of the traders based in the state having readily agreed to file monthly returns as per the Goods and Service Tax (GST). They also informed the CM of the initiatives they have taken to facilitate the traders with the online filing system so as to spare them the hassle of filing returns as per the new system.
CM Rawat instructed them to educate the local youth too on how to file the monthly returns as part of skill development programmes so that the traders can employ them for the purpose. It would not just help the traders with the skilled manpower but also provide employment to the youth, he said.
CM stressed on the officials organising workshops to make people more aware of the basic features of the GST. Even the commercial tax department officials found not much familiar with service tax, should be trained too, CM said. He said that such workshops should be organised in the remotest areas of the state to help the traders living there with the monthly filing of the returns as per the GST. Even the employees of the common service centres (CSC) numbering around 300 should be trained too so that they can help the traders in filing their returns. He said that their fees should be fixed in such a way that the traders do not feel over burdened.
CM also stressed on the speed of the internet being sufficiently raised at the levels of tehsils and blocks aside from providing double internet facility so that the people do not face any problem due to erratic internet connectivity.
CM also said that in view of the current 78 percent data migration, the figure must be raised to at least 90 percent before GST is implemented. He said that to achieve the purpose, the system must be upgraded by procuring the required hardware and software. “We should go for a human approach regarding the people who are switching to the new GST mode. They must be provided with all kinds of assistance,” he said. He also stressed on the ministerial cadre being trained on how to make flawless drafts in English.
During the meeting, additional chief secretary to CM Omprakash, principal secretaries- Radha Raturi and Manisha Panwar and secretaries- Amit Negi and R Meenakshi Sundaram were present among others