Government to track down GST defaulters, warns Sushil Modi
Bengaluru, July 14 : Using data analytics, the government would track down and penalise defaulters of Goods and Services Tax (GST), said Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST Network ChairmanSushil Kumar Modi on Saturday.
"We will use data analytics to track GST tax defaulters through its network, which has 360-degree view of online transactions to detect discrepancies," Modi, the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, told reporters after chairing the 9th meeting of the GoM here.
The GoM was set up in September 2017 to address the IT-related issues of the GSTN, operated by software vendor Infosys since the new tax regime was introduced across the country on July 1, 2017.
Asserting that no dealer would be able to escape the indirect tax net on goods and services, Modi said the GST Network was so robust that they should not attempt to dodge paying their dues to the government.
"Traders and dealers should not avoid or evade paying taxes that are due from them on their goods and services, as business intelligence software (third eye) will trace the defaulters easily," he said.
The GST Council, which will hold its next meeting in New Delhi on July 21, will also study recommendations of its law advisory committee, set up by the Union Finance Ministry to suggest changes for greater compliance.
"State-run departments handling large work contracts will also be brought under the TDS (tax deduction scheme) from October 1 in the first phase."
The committee has made about 100 recommendations to amend the GST Act, including widening the threshold limit of the composition scheme, identify dealers for reverse change mechanism and distribution of cess on compensation to states in the middle of five-year term.
In its report on December 17, the committee has advised the GST Council to enlarge the composition scheme and simply filing of returns, among other pro-active measures to make traders comply with the new tax regime.
The panel also recommended including service providers in the composition scheme and allow filing of summarised (GSTR-3B) returns.
Under the composition scheme, small traders or dealers will pay GST at a fixed rate turnover of less than Rs 1.5 crore.
"Among the recommendations are to include service providers in the composition," said an official.
Of the 1.2 crore dealers or traders registered with the GST across the country, 17.66 lakh were under the composition scheme, while 63.77 lakh migrated and 48.62 lakh more have registered over the months.
The GoM chief said emphasis in the second year of implementing the GST regime would be on the simplified return form in a single page.
"The average revenue collection for 2017-18 was Rs 89,885 crore per month in spite of economic slowdown and reduction in tax rates on 300 items," added Modi.
Besides Modi, other GoM members are Chattisgarh Minister for Commercial Taxes Amar Agarwal, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byregowda, Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Issac and Telangana Finance Minister Etela Rajendar.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
