Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a review meeting of the Commercial Tax (GST) Department at Mahanadi Bhavan, located in the secretariat, on Thursday. During the meeting, he reviewed the progress of tax collection and directed officials to take all necessary measures to increase GST revenue. He clearly stated that the revenue generated from taxes is the backbone of development works in the state and the country, therefore, taxpayers should pay their taxes on time and honestly.
Chief Minister Sai took a strict stance on tax evasion and directed the department to take b action against those involved in GST fraud. He said that recovery should be made strictly in such cases and that the department should further strengthen its monitoring system to prevent tax evasion. The officials informed the meeting that Chhattisgarh has secured the first position in the country in GST collection with an 18% growth rate. The Chief Minister appreciated the department for this achievement and encouraged them to perform even better in the future.
Tax revenue of ₹23,448 crore received in 2024-25
During the review meeting, officials informed that the state received a total tax revenue of ₹23,448 crore from GST and VAT in the financial year 2024-25, which is 38 percent of Chhattisgarh's total tax revenue. This performance is considered a major achievement for the state. Finance and Commercial Tax Minister O.P. Chaudhary provided detailed information on departmental activities and policy matters during the meeting.
Appreciating the efforts of the department, the Chief Minister directed the officials to strengthen tax collection while adhering to the rules. He also ensured effective action in cases of tax evasion and adopted a strategic approach to deal with such cases.
Strong stance on fake billing and tax irregularities
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed strict action against those who are taking undue advantage by using fake bills, dual bookkeeping systems, and incorrect tax rates. He also appreciated the innovative initiatives of the department. He mentioned that by simplifying the GST registration process, its average time limit has now been reduced from 13 days to 2 days, which is a major step towards making the revenue system more transparent.
Departmental officials also presented details of the major actions taken recently and the recovery related to tax evasion in the meeting. They said that a continuous positive growth is being seen in the state's tax revenue due to these actions.
GST offices established in 33 districts
With the aim of strengthening GST services in the state, the Chhattisgarh government has established GST offices in all 33 districts. This is providing timely services to taxpayers, and the tax system has become more transparent and efficient than before.
The review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sai was attended by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Mukesh Kumar Bansal, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, and Commercial Tax Commissioner Pushpendra Meena, along with other senior officials of the department.
