North Eastern States Witness Remarkable Success in GST Collection, Nirmala Sitharaman Applauds the Achievement
On Friday, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, highlighted the remarkable success story of the North Eastern (NE) states in their efficient collection and devolution of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Speaking at the Investiture Ceremony for conferring the Presidential Award for ‘Specially Distinguished Record of Service’ to officers and staff of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), she praised the NE states for their commendable efforts.
According to the 2023 RBI report on state finances, the eight NE states have collectively achieved an impressive compounded annual GST hike of 27.5 per cent, showcasing their dedication and effective implementation of the tax system.
Sitharaman particularly recognized Assam’s remarkable progress in GST collection, citing an astounding increase from Rs 558.26 crore before GST implementation to an impressive Rs 7,097 crore. Sikkim and Meghalaya also achieved significant milestones, with Sikkim’s collection soaring from Rs 263.5 crore to Rs 3,036 crore and Meghalaya’s from Rs 587.21 crore to Rs 2,078 crore.
The Union Minister emphasized that the GST implementation has brought about substantial improvements in the system, ultimately benefiting not only the states but also the people at large.
Highlighting the unique geographical position of the North East, which shares borders with four countries, Sitharaman brought attention to the 25 functional Land Customs Stations (LCS), of which only 15 are equipped with electronic facilities. Urging officials to take prompt action, she requested that the remaining LCSs also be equipped with electronic facilities by December. This measure would aid in detecting and preventing smuggling activities in the region.
Nirmala Sitharaman’s two-day visit to Assam and Tripura underscores the government’s commitment to recognizing and supporting states that have excelled in GST collection and administration. The success of the NE states serves as an inspiration for others to improve their revenue collection systems and contribute to the overall growth of the nation.