Punjab Welcomes 46,338 New GST Taxpayers: Finance Minister Cheema
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Synopsis
On Feb 18, Punjab's Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the addition of 46,338 new GST taxpayers through targeted registration drives. The initiative aims to broaden the tax base while educating consumers on compliance and filing processes.
Key Takeaways
- 46,338 new GST taxpayers added in 2023-24.
- Approximately 33,000 taxpayers expected by December 2024.
- Statewide campaign to educate about filing and compliance.
- Penalties of Rs 8.15 crore imposed on non-compliant taxpayers.
- Active engagement with students to promote tax awareness.
Chandigarh, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Finance Minister of Punjab, Harpal Singh Cheema, announced on Tuesday that the Excise and Taxation Department has executed focused GST registration initiatives aimed at expanding the tax base, leading to the inclusion of 46,338 taxpayers for the fiscal year 2023-24 and around 33,000 new taxpayers by December 2024.
He mentioned that a comprehensive state campaign has been initiated to inform taxpayers about filing procedures, ITC claims, and the benefits of compliance.
In a press release, the Finance Minister indicated that the state’s GST Department launched another GSTR registration campaign in January, where approximately 48,000 new dealers were contacted, resulting in the registration of about 10,500 dealers across Punjab.
He explained that various community engagement strategies were utilized during the registration campaign, including awareness camps, discussions with market and industry groups, and interactions with professionals such as chartered accountants (CAs), lawyers, and accountants.
Emphasizing the steps taken to foster tax compliance among consumers, the minister stated that the department has extended the “Bill Liyao Inaam Pao Scheme” and encouraged the active participation of students from schools and colleges to raise awareness among the youth.
He pointed out that the scheme has successfully levied penalties amounting to Rs 8.15 crore on non-compliant taxpayers and rewarded 4,106 consumers with Rs 2.45 crore for uploading their purchase receipts on the Mera Bill application.
"To enhance tax revenue from registered dealers, the department has ensured accurate GST filing and compliance, with 93 percent of registered taxpayers consistently submitting returns on time. The department has also penalized tax evaders, partnered with IIT Hyderabad to implement advanced data analytics tools, and introduced adjudication and scrutiny modules to mitigate revenue leakages," stated Cheema.
He stressed that broadening the GST tax base is vital for improving revenue, curbing tax evasion, and establishing a just taxation system. He affirmed that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is dedicated to achieving this objective through a dual strategy of incorporating unregistered businesses into the GST framework and enhancing compliance among registered taxpayers.
