Chandigarh, Jul 1 (PTI) The Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in Punjab recorded a 24.45 per cent jump at Rs 7,833.45 crore during the first three months of FY27, aided by improved compliance and sustained economic activity, the state's finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Wednesday.

Punjab collected Rs 7,833.45 crore in gross GST during the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, compared with Rs 6,294.57 crore in the corresponding period last year, the minister for finance, excise and taxation said in a statement.

The increase of Rs 1,538.88 crore reflected the state's improving revenue position with better tax compliance, sustained economic activity and improved administration, Cheema said.

The minister further said that Punjab registered a 9 per cent growth in State GST (SGST) cash collections, against the national average of around 3 per cent.

This reflected greater compliance by taxpayers and the success of reforms undertaken by the Excise and Taxation Department, Cheema said, adding that the government has simultaneously focused on facilitating genuine businesses by issuing GST refunds worth Rs 1,270 crore during the first quarter.

Of the total refunds, Rs 713.70 crore was towards the SGST component, he said.

Timely refunds helped improve liquidity for businesses and promoted ease of doing business in the state, he added.

Highlighting the government's action against tax evasion, the minister said the Excise and Taxation Department recovered around Rs 633 crore through penalties during the quarter, registering a 207 per cent increase over the Rs 207 crore recovered in the same period of the previous financial year.

In June alone, penalties worth Rs 225 crore were imposed, and 20 FIRs were registered against alleged bogus taxpayers involved in fake invoicing and fraudulent registrations, the minister said.

Cheema also said that the department recovered around Rs 14 crore in long-pending VAT dues through property auction proceedings conducted during June.

Besides, the state recorded an increase of Rs 242 crore in VAT/CST collections, indicating improvement in overall revenue mobilisation.

Reiterating the government's commitment to a transparent tax administration, Cheema said strict action would continue against tax evaders while honest taxpayers would be supported through timely refunds, simplified procedures and improved services.

He said the government would continue to strengthen tax compliance and revenue collection while ensuring a business-friendly environment in the state. PTI VSD HVA

GST compliance and tax administration drive Punjab's higher revenue collections, faster refunds, and stronger anti-evasion enforcement. Punjab's GST revenue showed a substantial rise in the April-June quarter of FY 2026-27, with gross GST and SGST collections reflecting improved compliance, sustained economic activity and stronger tax administration. Timely GST refunds were issued to genuine businesses, while action against tax evasion included penalty recoveries, proceedings against bogus taxpayers for fake invoicing and fraudulent registrations, recovery of long-pending VAT dues through property auction proceedings, and an increase in VAT/CST collections.