Trade organisations call statewide protest on Dec 12 over ‘blocked’ GST, VAT refunds

The Punjab Tax Bar Association (PTBA) and allied trade and industry bodies have announced a statewide protest outside the districts’ GST offices on December 12 against the state government’s alleged continued failure to release pending GST and VAT refunds despite repeated requests.

At a state-level meeting of the Punjab Tax Bar Association and the district tax bar associations, chaired by PTBA president Anil Sarin here today, it was unanimously resolved to hold protests at all district headquarters to highlight the non-release of long-pending GST and VAT refunds.

The PTBA, in coordination with the district associations and various trade and industry organisations across Punjab, expressed resentment over the persistent delays.

Refunds pending since May have caused severe financial distress to taxpayers, MSMEs, traders, and industrial units already struggling with economic slowdown, they rued.

Sarin stated that despite repeated representations, reminders, and formal requests submitted to the authorities concerned, no effective steps had been taken to expedite the refund process.

The association members further announced that, given the government’s continued indifference, the PTBA — along with leading trade bodies — would go ahead with the statewide protest on December 12 to demand immediate release of all pending refunds.

The association warned that if timely action was not taken, agitation would be intensified.