GUWAHATI, Oct 10: Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah has announced plans to restructure the state tax department before the next financial year while reviewing tax collection in Guwahati and setting revised revenue targets for the city’s tax circles.
Baruah held the review meeting at Kar Bhawan on October 9 to assess the performance of tax officials and identify measures to improve revenue mobilisation, administrative efficiency and accountability.
The minister asked officials to strengthen Assam’s own-source revenue base and set targets according to individual officers’ capabilities and performance. He also emphasised the need to assign responsibilities in line with their performance to ensure that the revised targets remained achievable.
Baruah said stronger revenue collection was essential for Assam’s economic growth and financial self-reliance. He directed officials to identify practical challenges affecting tax collection and submit suggestions based on their field experience, noting that addressing these difficulties would improve transparency and operational efficiency.
The proposed restructuring aims to streamline the department’s administrative structure and improve its functioning. The minister said the exercise was expected to be completed before the beginning of the next financial year.
Earlier, Baruah interacted with tax inspectors who had completed a 50-day training programme and distributed certificates at a ceremony. He urged the newly trained officials to perform their duties with professionalism, integrity and a commitment to public service.
He also called for improved revenue collection and performance above the national average. Referring to Assam’s consumer-driven economy, Baruah highlighted the role of the Goods and Services Tax in generating state revenue.
He said expanding Assam’s own-source revenue was necessary to finance development expenditure and reduce excessive dependence on financial assistance from external sources.
Tax Commissioner Jitu Doley and other senior departmental officials attended the review meeting.
