Efforts on to make GST foolproof, says Adhia

Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia ( pictured) on Monday said the government was making all efforts to make the goods and services tax (GST) regime “foolproof” with the help of technology to check all possibilities of tax evasion.

Addressing a state-level seminar on the GST, the top finance ministry official said, “The GST is an end-to-end IT-based tax system. We are making all efforts to make it foolproof with the help of technology. A technology-based tax system will prevent tax evasion. We are also making efforts in the direction of making it more simple.”

Stating the new taxation regime is more business-friendly, he noted that a businessman does not want to evade tax provided three things are according to his desire, which include appropriate tax calculation, tax should be reasonable, it protects his interests.

Citing the example of Chhattisgarh, he said credit for the successful rollout of the GST in the state goes to businessmen of the state.

There was situation of uncertainty and anxiety when the GST was introduced on July 1 last year but gradually all basic problems which had arisen during the initial stages were overcome. Strong political will, coupled with efforts of the central and state officials, has led to the effective implementation of the GST, he said.

In July 2017, the revenue shortfall of the state was 49 per cent, but within seven months this has come down gradually to 29 per cent, thanks to the GST, he said.

He also said, the state average of filing returns is 57 per cent while the national average is 67 per cent.