TN collects Rs 2,000 crore in SGST in April, 21 percent more than last year

In a first, the total revenue collection under GST crossed Rs 1 lakh crore mark, while the SGST collected by Tamil Nadu crossed Rs 2,000 crore mark for the month of April. Speaking to reporters, Jayakumar said the idea of nationalising GST Network, the agency providing technological framework for GST, was brought up for discussion and there was concurrence. “Possibilities of incentivising cashless transactions were also raised, ” he added. 

On the decision to impose additional tax on sugar, the Minister said that the proposal for upward revision of 3 per cent over existing GST was opposed by the state. He added that it would burden the end users on large scale and that the state insisted that proposal be dropped. The other proposal opposed by the state was the downward revision of tax to 12 per cent from 18 per cent for ethanol. “Since ethanol primarily being used in manufacture of liquor, the move would adversely affect the state government’s revenue. We opposed it. The Centre through the Council revised the proposal to offer the benefit only to the Oil Companies and then we have provided our approval,” the Minister reasoned. 

Jayakumar also revealed that the proposal to simplify the monthly filing procedure for traders was brought up. “The subject was deliberated in detail. The simplification of filing would benefit the traders and it would not hamper the tax revenue of the state. Considering this, the state has provided its approval for the proposal,” he added. 

The Minister added that they have insisted the Council to expedite the consideration on the proposals relating to tax revision and exemptions tabled by TN. “As many as 46 branded and unbranded items and services fall under this category,” he said.