Haryana tops in GST collection, says FM

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 11

Haryana has topped the states in per capita revenue collection under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, become the 4th highest generator of e-way bills in the country, widened the tax base by 82.22 per cent, and logged 19 per cent hike in revenue collections.

Besides, the compliance percentage of assesses in the state is 5 per cent to 7 per cent higher than the national average, and revenue collection under commercial taxes has registered a double-digit growth.

Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu stated this while addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, on the achievements of the present government during the last three and a half years. 

He said that one of the most important achievements of the government post-GST implementation had been widening of the tax base by 82.22 per cent. While the number of tax assesses under VAT, central excise and service tax in Haryana was 2.25 lakh before the introduction of the GST, their number today is about 4.10 lakh.

“The introduction of One Nation One Tax (GST) in Haryana has been very smooth. Though we are a relatively small state and are placed 21st in size in the country, we have the fifth highest gross GST collection. The per capita revenue collection of Haryana at Rs 1,876 crore under the GST is the highest in the country,” he said. 

About 1.12 crore e-way bills were generated in Haryana between April 1 and June 30 this year, making the state the fourth highest generator of e-way bills in the country. Officers of the Excise and Taxation Department conducted physical checking of 1.10 lakh e-way bills, detected 3,358 cases of irregularities, and collected Rs. 21.37 crore as penalty in April and May.

Capt Abhimanyu said that all six promises made in the election manifesto of the party relating to excise and taxation had been fulfilled. The constitution of Vyapar Kalyan Board, reduction in VAT on gypsum and chemical fertilisers by 5 per cent up to zero, exemption of small dhabas from tax, providing C-Form online and implementation of a comprehensive taxation scheme were among the decisions taken.

He said that Haryana, ranked 14th in ease of doing business, has climbed up to the third position due to the implementation of the Haryana Enterprises Promotion Policy- 2015.

Tax on agricultural equipment 

• About AICC media in charge Randeep Surjewala’s allegation that it is for the first time that agricultural implements are being taxed, the Finance Minister said that the GST council had unanimously passed all taxes at its meetings. “Congress leaders, who attend the council meetings, should raise their voice there instead of misleading people outside,” he added.
• On Surjewala’s challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a debate on hike in the minimum support price (MSP), he said the Congress leader should instead share his knowledge in the Vidhan Sabha and participate in debates in the House.