Finance Minister responds after tax educator’s bribery allegation on GST goes viral
New Delhi: A LinkedIn post by prominent tax educator Vinod Gupta alleging corruption in the GST registration process triggered a public response from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who addressed the matter on X (formerly Twitter).
Gupta, founder of VG Learning Destination and a respected name in India’s finance education sector, wrote that he and his wife had been waiting for over 20 days to receive a GST registration number for their joint business. He further alleged that the registration would likely be processed faster if a bribe were paid.
As his post went viral, it sparked a wider conversation about corruption in the GST system. Tax professionals and whistleblowers, including Abhishek Raja Ram, amplified the concerns. Raja Ram alleged that the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) was disconnected from ground realities, stating: “Even VG Sir has to vent out his frustration. Better top-level officers take control of Registrations to save the country from corruption.”
Responding to the controversy, Finance Minister Sitharaman said:
“It is our responsibility to serve taxpayers. But while doing that, we must be honest and transparent, because that’s how we earn their trust. I believe the GST Board and officers will continue to be careful and quick in responding to people’s issues.”
The CBIC later clarified that Gupta’s GST application had been filed on May 26 and was under the Delhi State GST jurisdiction, not the Central authorities. They noted that a clarification had been sought from Gupta due to a missing designation on the rent agreement and that his response was still awaited.
The Board cautioned against spreading misinformation and urged the public to verify facts before sharing allegations online.
A detailed response from @cbic_india. To provide service to the taxpayer is our duty. While so serving the taxpayers, transparency and integrity are crucial in earning their trust and confidence. Confident that the Board and the field formations will remain sensitive and… https://t.co/OwuHQ5yKhe
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 31, 2025
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Man arrested with Rs 2.54-crore heroin in Mumbai
Mumbai (PTI): Police have arrested a man and seized over 500 grams of heroin worth Rs 2.54 crore in the illicit market from him in Mumbai, officials said on Friday.
The police's Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) made the drug seizure in Santacruz in the western suburbs. The operation was conducted by the Kandivali unit of the ANC on Thursday as part of a special crackdown against drug trafficking in the area, they said.
Acting on specific inputs, an ANC team conducted a raid in Santacruz (East) and intercepted a man. During a search, the team recovered 508 grams of high-grade heroin from his possession, an official said.
The seized contraband, a highly addictive, opioid drug derived from morphine, is estimated to be worth Rs 2.54 crore in the international market, he informed.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against the man under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and he was formally placed under arrest in the early hours of Friday.
The police are currently investigating the source of the drug and trying to identify the intended recipients of the consignment, he said.
