Odisha records OGST collection of Rs 827.43 crore in May

BHUBANESWAR: Despite the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the state has witnessed record collection of Odisha Goods and Services Tax (OGST).
It has collected Rs 827.43 crore during the month of May this year against the collection of Rs 589.3 crore in May 2019 and Rs 440.67 crore in May last year.
Last month’s collection has recorded a growth of 40.4% against the collection of May 2019.
This growth is witnessed despite the extension of return filing date by the GST Council and poor filing of returns/payment of tax by dealers having turnover of less than Rs 5 crore, said the official sources.
“This growth in OGST collection is a result of better compliance by dealers having turnover of more than Rs 5 crore during previous year, increased collection from iron and steel sector as well as collection from matured GST demand made by tax officers after return scrutiny,” said the finance department sources.
The government has collected Rs 690.32 crore in Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST), Rs 1094.7 crore in Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) and Rs 584.3 crore in Cess.
The total GST collection during May this year is Rs 3196.75 crore as against Rs 2140.37 crore collected during May 2019 and Rs 1724.26 crore during May last year.
This shows a growth of 49.34% against collection of May 2019, said the official communication.
The state has collected Value Added Tax (VAT) (petrol and liquor) of Rs 792.71 crore during May this year against Rs 588.81 crore during May 2019 and Rs 188.52 crore during May last year with growth rate of 34.69% (against collection of May 2019). Collection from liquor and petroleum products is Rs 665.83 crore and Rs 187.3 crore respectively.
The total e-waybill generated during May this year was Rs 11.69 lakh against Rs 11.41 lakh during May 2019 and Rs 8.55 lakh in May last year.
The Commissionerate of Commercial Tax and GST of the state government has been focusing on increasing the tax-base of GST with regular survey and registration. A total of 5,479 numbers of new registrants have been brought under the GST fold during April and May this financial year. All circles have been instructed to ensure 90 per cent return filing within the due date, said the Commissionerate of CT and GST.
Commissioner of CT and GST Sushil Kumar Lohani has instructed all the field officers to detect the wrong return filers by applying data analytics and collect all taxes from them according to the law. But he has asked his officials to facilitate genuine tax payers and ensure that they are not put to any unnecessary harassment.