B B Mohapatra, a seasoned officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), has been appointed as a Member (Technical) of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). With over three decades of distinguished service in various capacities within the Government of India, Mohapatra brings with him a wealth of administrative and technical expertise in taxation and public administration.
Born on June 30, 1964, and hailing from the tribal heartland of Koraput district in Odisha—a region once afflicted by naxalism—Mohapatra’s journey reflects a rare blend of grassroots resilience and academic excellence. He pursued his education at NIT Rourkela and IIT Mumbai, later commencing his career with Engineers India Ltd as a Project Manager for offshore ONGC installations before joining the IRS.
In his illustrious career, Mohapatra held several key positions, including his final posting as Chief Commissioner of Central GST overseeing the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Bihar, before retiring in June 2024. He has served as Principal Commissioner in major cities such as Kolkata, Raipur, and New Delhi, and also held commissioner-level posts in Guwahati and New Delhi. His tenure included critical assignments as Director in the Ministries of Agriculture, Tourism, and Road Transport & Highways.
Mohapatra also served for two years as Private Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Government of India, reflecting his strong administrative and liaison skills at the highest levels.
Throughout his career, Mohapatra has been recognized with prestigious accolades including the All India Samman Patra Award, the World Customs Organisation Award, and a personal appreciation letter from the Revenue Secretary for his exemplary contributions to the revenue services.
Beyond the bureaucracy, he remains actively engaged in social and philanthropic initiatives. He oversees a 200-bed tribal boys’ hostel in Bhubaneswar under the aegis of Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram and supports a 70-bed charitable eye hospital in Nabarangpur. Additionally, he is involved in managing a family-run MSME unit in Bhubaneswar focusing on panel doors, windows, and furniture.
His appointment to the GSTAT is seen as a significant addition to the tribunal, with stakeholders hoping that his vast experience and deep understanding of tax administration will bolster the effectiveness of dispute resolution in India’s GST regime.
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