Goods and Services Tax amendment passed to secure continuity of state tax collection and provide taxpayer relief amid opposition walkout.
The Rajasthan Assembly enacted the GST Amendment Bill 2025 by voice vote, presented by the Deputy Chief Minister, to preserve continuity in state tax collection and to adjust revenue and taxpayer-relief measures within the state GST framework, aligning those measures with the broader 'One Nation, One Tax' GST principle.

Workplace stress linked to alleged suicide after reassignment; family disputes reports of advanced illness.
A senior GST official allegedly died by suicide; family members attribute the death to workplace pressure and refusal of an additional administrative charge, while disputing reports of advanced cancer and asserting prior treatment for an early-stage condition.

State fiscal distress undermines delivery of welfare guarantees after suspension of GST compensation and tapering of revenue deficit grants.
The governor attributed budgetary pressure to the stoppage of GST compensation and tapering of revenue deficit grants and noted partial fulfilment of poll promises despite financial constraints; the opposition countered that fiscal management failures have led to unmet welfare guarantees, pension arrears and delayed salaries, and raised the nonreceipt of central disaster compensation as an additional strain on the state budget.

Suicide of public official: GST deputy commissioner found dead; family cites illness and depression, police investigating.
GST deputy commissioner allegedly died by suicide after falling from his apartment building; family members reported he was suffering from cancer and had been in depression. Police sent the body for postmortem and are conducting standard inquiries after recording the family's statements.

GST evasion enforcement: thousands of cases detected, leading to arrests, GST number cancellations and recovery measures.
Authorities detected 17,191 instances of alleged GST non-compliance with an aggregate evasion of Rs 2,043.59 crore; 15 persons were arrested, prosecution complaints filed, and GST registrations cancelled. Recovery and enforcement measures include serving a show cause notice before adjudication, seizure of property and bank accounts, blocking input tax credits, and lodging police complaints.

Corruption: Private tax consultant arrested after allegedly accepting bribe for a GST officer; case under Prevention of Corruption Act.
A taxpayer alleged that a senior GST officer demanded payment to reduce tax liability and a private tax consultant allegedly acted as intermediary. The intermediary was arrested after accepting cash during a monitored handover witnessed by independent observers at a hotel, while the named officer left before apprehension. An investigation and actions under the Prevention of Corruption Act were initiated following verification by anti-corruption authorities.

GST reform: call for comprehensive simplification and a less punitive structure beyond mere rate reductions, urging systemic overhaul.
Calls for comprehensive GST reform stress simplification and a less punitive design rather than mere rate cuts; demands for evidence disclosure in the Bofors matter press for transparency in investigative filings; a police probe into the Kathua killings examines possible terrorist links; the Supreme Court's grant of bail to a former excise officer indicates continued judicial oversight of corruption cases; and the CPCB report to the National Green Tribunal evaluates bathing fit water quality during the Maha Kumbh, reflecting environmental regulatory review.

GST simplification: call for a radically simplified, less-punitive regime to rationalise slabs and curb ITC fraud.
A political statement urges a comprehensive GST 2.0 featuring radical simplification of tax slabs, consolidation of disparate rates, and targeted rate reductions only as part of broader reform. It highlights systemic weaknesses-proliferation of rates, rising and insufficiently validated refunds, Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud, fake registrations, and weak supply chain tracking-that drive revenue leakage and increase compliance burdens. Recommended measures include stronger enforcement and refund scrutiny, improved validation and physical checks, targeted tax relief on selected items, and use of fiscal cushion to support the transition.

GST rate rationalisation: government signals further reductions pending final review and GST Council decision soon.
The government is finalising a programme to rationalise and reduce GST rates, noting a fall in the Revenue Neutral Rate since implementation; a Group of Ministers has drafted proposals, which the Finance Minister will re review before taking to the GST Council for a final decision, with remaining technical work on slab and rate adjustments to be addressed at the next Council meeting.

Financial inclusion central to award recognition and expansion plans emphasizing credit and tax compliance governance.
Kiteskraft recognized Ms. Daisy Aadhav Arjuna for advancing financial inclusion via Arise Investments through diversified microfinance products, branch and digital expansion, borrower mentorship, and targeted MSME and women-focused lending, combined with corporate compliance markers including GST taxpayer recognition and an award for credit risk compliance that indicate adherence to tax and credit governance standards.

New vehicle levies impose road and token tax plus green cess on out-of-region registrations, bolstering local dealer parity.
The Budget introduces a vehicle levy on non-transport vehicles purchased outside the region but registered locally, comprising a road and token tax plus a green cess, alongside fuel tax adjustments to promote cleaner energy. It strengthens GST tracking for capital works, risk-based e-way bill verifications, and digital metering and billing to improve revenue realisation, while pursuing debt optimisation and enhanced fiscal transparency through public disclosure of developmental expenditures and central grant assistance.

GST revenue analysis to recommend sector-specific policy interventions and harmonise enforcement tools into a unified compliance platform.
The reconstituted GoM will conduct state-wise and sector-wise analysis of GST collections, review inter-state outward supply revenues, and assess impacts of macroeconomic factors and legislative amendments. It is charged to harmonise anti-evasion, audit and scrutiny tools across agencies to evaluate a unified enforcement and compliance platform, and to recommend policy or enforcement measures for revenue augmentation and course correction for states with revenue shortfalls.

Standardise accounting practices to improve fiscal transparency and enable consolidated public financial management across governments.
The consultation urged strengthening fiscal transparency and revenue mobilisation by addressing declines in State Own Tax Revenue buoyancy, regular reporting of Off-Budget Borrowings and post-audit liabilities, and exploiting untapped sources like stamp duty, registration fees and state excise through updated market value guidelines, improved property classification and technology adoption to minimise leakages.

GST collection increase drives state revenue growth, surpassing national average and nearing budget targets this fiscal year.
Gross GST receipts in Haryana rose 20% in February 2025 to Rs 9,925 crore, exceeding the national monthly growth rate; the Excise and Taxation Department reported collections of Rs 57,125 crore for April 2024-February 2025, representing over 90% of the annual budget target of Rs 63,348 crore and constituting more than 80% of state revenue under SGST, Excise Duty and VAT.

Biometric authentication flexibility allows eligible promoters and directors to complete verification at any GSK in their home state.
GSTN allows eligible Promoters/Directors of Public Limited, Private Limited, Unlimited, and Foreign Companies, when selected for biometric verification, to choose any GST Suvidha Kendra within their declared Home State to complete Biometric Authentication. Eligible individuals receive an intimation email to select a Home State GSK, receive a confirmation and slot booking link, and must make a one time irrevocable selection; those who have already completed biometrics are exempt. The option is not available where the Promoter/Director is also the Primary Authorized Signatory, who must attend the jurisdictional GSK.

People centric development model using guarantee schemes and cash transfers to reduce inequality while supporting fiscal stability.
The state has advanced a people centric development model using guarantee schemes and direct cash transfers to reduce inequality and extend social protection, paired with sectoral priorities including green energy, women's empowerment, healthcare, education, sanitation and sustainable agriculture; these measures are asserted to align with constitutional mandates to reduce inequality and to coexist with prudent fiscal management and revenue growth.

GST revenue for February 2025: provisional gross and net collections up, refunds increased and state settlements detailed.
Provisional February 2025 GST collections show gross receipts (domestic and imports) and disaggregated CGST, SGST, IGST and CESS with ~9-10% year on year gross growth; refunds (domestic and export/import) have risen, lowering net receipts. Net GST revenue by component and in aggregate is positive year on year. State/UT tables report monthly growth, pre/post settlement SGST including IGST shares, collections by central and state formations, and registered taxpayer counts. Figures are provisional.

Excise duty removal makes retail foreign liquor cheaper and aims to reduce cross border smuggling and stabilize markets.
The state amended its excise policy to eliminate the additional excise duty on retail foreign liquor while retaining wholesale procurement and distribution by the State Beverages Corporation, preserving infrastructure development fees and existing country liquor rates, and maintaining the current liquor shop network and premium shop operations.

Misclassification of imports alleged: court directs vigilance body and customs board to respond and file comprehensive affidavit.
The petition alleges misclassification of betel nuts allowed importers to pay a lower basic customs duty and bypass Minimum Import Price rules, causing large-scale duty evasion and revenue loss; petitioner accuses senior customs officers of collusion and corruption and seeks action. The High Court has sought a response from the Central Vigilance Commission and directed the customs administration to file a comprehensive affidavit on whether further clarification or action is required, leaving maintainability open for the next hearing.

GST collections rise indicating stronger domestic consumption and higher net receipts after increased refund disbursements.
Gross GST collections for February 2025 rose year on year, with domestic transaction GST growing faster than import GST and refunds elevated, producing higher net collections. Experts link the increase to stronger domestic consumption, policy support for local industry, and expanded refund disbursements that alleviate working capital constraints. Notable inter state variation in growth rates was observed, and cumulative year to date GST figures indicate sustained fiscal year expansion tied to updated deficit estimates.