Kotpad, 8th Aug 2025: Vijaya Bihari Mahapatra of Belama Sahi in Kotpad has been appointed as a Technical Member of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) by the Government of India. His appointment to such a prestigious post has brought pride to the undivided Koraput district.
The official list of 31 technical members appointed to GSTAT was recently published. These appointments were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, based on recommendations from the Revenue Department. The list includes retired officers of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and other experts in the field of indirect taxation.
Among the 31 appointed members, four are from Odisha, and Shri Mahapatra is the only one from the undivided Koraput district to achieve this distinction.
As per the terms of appointment, each member will receive a monthly salary of ₹2.25 lakh and will serve for four years or until they attain the age of 67, whichever is earlier.
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Personal and Career Background
Born in 1964 in Belama Sahi, Kotpad, Vijaya Bihari Mahapatra is the son of the late Markanda Mahapatra, who was a well-known priest of the Jagannath Temple in Kotpad.
He completed his matriculation in Kotpad, pursued I.Sc. from DAV College, Koraput, and went on to obtain higher education from NIT Rourkela and IIT Mumbai.
He began his professional journey at EIL (Engineers India Limited) and ONGC, before joining the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) in 1990. He eventually retired as Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax.
He also served in the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Surface Transport as a director. For his exemplary service and efficiency, he was honored and praised on several occasions by the President and Prime Minister of India.
Currently, Shri Mahapatra’s mother, Barshaman, resides in Jaypur’s Nuasahi (First Lane), near Jhiajoi’s residence.