Editorji is a popular short video news and information platform based in India. It was founded in 2018 by Vikram Chandra, one of India’s leading journalists, and has risen to prominence in the digital news space in a relatively short span of time. The platform is primarily designed for mobile devices, with applications available for Android and iOS.

ABOUT US:

about us editorji

Latest Video News: Editorji provides the latest news video headlines, latest videos clip from India and the World. Get all breaking news videos on Entertainment, Business, Coronavirus, Elections, Politics and more.

Latest Video News, Breaking News, Bollywood, Political, Sports, Business News | Editorji

+91 11 4035 6666 / info@editorji.com
3rd floor, Plot B, Khasara no 360, Sultanpur, New Delhi, Delhi 110030
<a title="mail to us" href="mailto:info@editorji.com">Send Feedback</a>
<a title="Contact Us" href="mailto:info@editorji.com">Contact Us</a>

REACH US

Contact for any questions, suggestions, comments, feedback or advertisement on Editorji.com, we are always looking forward to hearing from you.

Contact Us for Feedback, Suggestions and Advertising 

Editorji content is better experienced in our app.

The government will impose additional excise duty on tobacco and a health cess on pan masala from February 1, replacing the current GST compensation cess, with higher GST rates applied.

Tobacco and pan masala to get costlier as new excise, health cess takes effect from February 1

The government will impose additional excise duty on tobacco and a health cess on pan masala from February 1, replacing the current GST compensation cess, with higher GST rates applied.

The government has notified February 1 as the date from which additional excise duty on tobacco products, and a health cess on pan masala will be levied, replacing the existing GST compensation cess levy on such 'sin goods'.
A health and national security cess and excise duty on pan masala and tobacco products respectively will be over and above 40 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate, while in case of 'biris' it would be on top of the 18 per cent GST rate effective February 1, 2026, as per notifications issued by the Finance Ministry late on December 31, 2025.
A new MRP-based valuation mechanism has been introduced for tobacco products (chewing tobacco, filter khaini, jarda scented tobacco, gutkha) whereby GST value shall be determined based on the retail sale price declared on the package.
An additional excise duty of 91 per cent on gutkha, 82 per cent on chewing tobacco, and 82 per cent on jarda scented tobacco will be levied. Cigarettes, depending on length and filter, will be taxed in the range of Rs 2,050&ndash;Rs 8,500 per 1,000 sticks.
The proceeds from excise duty will be redistributed among states in accordance with the Finance Commission's recommendations. Centre's tax revenues form part of the divisible pool, and 41 per cent of it is shared among the states.
Besides, the health cess will be levied on the production capacity of pan masala manufacturing units. Part of the revenue from this cess will be shared with states through health awareness or other health-related schemes/activities.
The purpose of this health cess is to create a "dedicated and predictable resource stream" for two domains of national importance, health and national security, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in Parliament last month.
The Finance Ministry has also notified the Chewing Tobacco, Jarda Scented Tobacco and Gutkha Packing Machines (Capacity Determination and Collection of Duty) Rules, 2026.
The levy of a cess on pan masala and the excise duty on tobacco were approved by Parliament last month. The GST Council, comprising finance ministers from the Centre and states, had in September decided on the mechanism to levy cess and excise duty on such products over and above GST once the compensation cess mechanism ended after repayment of loans.
Currently, a 28 per cent GST and a compensation cess at varying rates are levied on all tobacco products, including pan masala, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, hookah, zarda, and scented tobacco.
From February 1, the GST rate will increase to 40 per cent, plus an excise duty and a compensation cess.
The GST Council in September last year had decided that the compensation cess will cease to exist after the repayment of loans taken to compensate states for GST revenue loss during Covid. The Rs 2.69 lakh crore loan will be repaid by January 31, 2026.
At the time of the introduction of the GST on July 1, 2017, a compensation cess mechanism was put in place for 5 years, till June 30, 2022, to compensate for the revenue loss suffered by states due to the GST implementation.
The levy of compensation cess was later extended by 4 years till March 31, 2026, and the collection is being used to repay the Rs 2.69 lakh crore loan that the Centre took to compensate states for the GST revenue loss during the Covid period.

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to file a detailed response to a PIL seeking a reduction in GST on air purifiers, citing severe air pollution in the national capital.

Delhi High Court Seeks GST Reduction on Air Purifiers

Delhi HC Pushes for GST Cut on Air Purifiers

The Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to file a detailed response to a PIL seeking a reduction in GST on air purifiers, citing severe air pollution in the national capital.

The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the Centre to file a detailed response to a petition seeking lowering of goods and services tax on air purifiers in view of worsening air quality in the national capital.&nbsp;
A vacation bench of Justices Vikas Mahajan and Vinod Kumar granted 10 days' time to the central government to file its reply to the petition and listed the matter for further hearing on January 9.
The court was informed by the Centre's counsel that the meeting of GST Council has to take place physically only and it is not possible to convene the meeting through video conferencing. Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman, representing the Centre, sought time to file a detailed reply.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking directions to the central government to classify air purifiers as "medical devices" and reduce the goods and services tax (GST) to the five per cent slab. Air purifiers are currently taxed at 18 per cent.
The petition by advocate Kapil Madan said that purifiers cannot be treated as luxury items in view of the "extreme emergency crisis" caused by severe air pollution in Delhi. On December 24, the court had directed the GST Council to meet at the earliest and consider lowering or abolishing GST on air purifiers.
The matter was listed today to inform the court as to when the Council can meet and whether it was possible for the Council to meet virtually, if not physically.

India implemented major tax reforms in 2025, cutting GST rates, raising income tax exemptions, and simplifying slabs, with the government now focusing on customs duty rationalisation and procedural simplification.

India revamps tax regime in 2025, new I-T Act to take effect from April 1

India implemented major tax reforms in 2025, cutting GST rates, raising income tax exemptions, and simplifying slabs, with the government now focusing on customs duty rationalisation and procedural simplification.

India overhauled its tax regime in 2025 with sharp cuts in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and a higher income tax exemption limit, with the spotlight now turning to customs duty rationalisation and procedural simplification in the coming Budget.
Next year will see the new simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, come into effect from April 1, replacing the over six-decade-old current Income Tax Act, 1961. Also, two new laws &mdash; one to levy additional excise duty on cigarettes and another to levy cess on pan masala over and above GST rates &mdash; will be implemented on a date decided by the government.
The tax reforms rolled out by the government in 2025 were aimed at stimulating demand amid a challenging global economic environment. With tariff uncertainties casting a shadow over economic decision-making, India's tax reform measures focused on boosting domestic demand to drive consumption and support growth.
A key highlight was the reduction of GST rates on about 375 goods and services effective September 22, which lowered the tax burden on commonly used items and addressed long-standing concerns over inverted duty structures. The move to compress the four-tier GST slab structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent into two principal rates of 5 and 18 per cent, with a 40 per cent levy retained only for sin goods, marked a major step towards rationalisation and simplification of the indirect tax regime.
The GST overhaul was designed to make the indirect tax regime simpler and more predictable, with fewer rate slabs and reduced litigation. On the collections front, GST mop up touched a record high of Rs 2.37 lakh crore in April, and was averaging Rs 1.9 lakh crore during the current fiscal year. The sweeping rate cuts have put some pressure on the GST revenues with a slowing growth rate. India's Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections slipped to a year-low of Rs 1.70 lakh crore in November &mdash; growing at a meagre 0.7 per cent year-on-year. November was the first month that recorded the full impact of the GST rate cut effective September 22.
On the direct tax front, the government raised the income tax exemption limit, providing relief to middle-income taxpayers and leaving more disposable income in the hands of consumers. The move was seen as a consumption booster, particularly for urban households, while also reinforcing voluntary compliance under the simplified tax regime.
The Budget for 2025 announced that no income tax will be payable on income of Rs 12 lakh a year under the new income tax regime, which offers lower tax rates without the benefit of claiming exemptions and deductions. The tax rates applicable under this regime are 5 per cent of income between Rs 4-8 lakh, 10 per cent (Rs 8-12 lakh), and 15 per cent (Rs 12-16 lakh). Tax at 20 per cent rate is applicable on income between Rs 16-20 lakh, 25 per cent (Rs 20-24 lakh), and 30 per cent on income above Rs 24 lakh.
However, the tax cuts slowed down non-corporate income tax collections between April and mid-December. Net non-corporate tax (which includes taxes paid by individuals, HUFs, and firms) grew 6.37 per cent at Rs 8.47 lakh crore between April 1 and December 17, as against a 10.54 per cent growth in net corporate tax collection at Rs 8.17 lakh crore. Refund issuances slowed during the current fiscal year as the Income Tax department did extra analysis of high-value refund claims. Refund issuance dropped 14 per cent compared to last year to over Rs 2.97 lakh crore, according to recent data.
With major reforms in GST and income tax largely in place, policymakers have now turned their focus to customs duty rationalisation. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently said that simplification of customs would be the next big reform agenda for the government. There is a need to bring the virtues of income tax, like faceless assessment, to the customs side in terms of transparency and entail duty rate-rationalisation. The government has steadily brought down customs duty over the last two years. But, the few items where the rates continue to be over the optimal level, would have to be brought down as well. "Customs is my next big cleaning-up assignment," Sitharaman said.
In the 2025-26 Budget, the government proposed eliminating seven additional customs tariff rates on industrial goods, following the removal of seven tariffs in 2023-24. The exercise reduced the total number of tariff slabs to eight.
As India heads to the next phase of tax reforms, simplification, predictability and ease of doing business are expected to remain at the centre of the policy agenda. Deloitte India Partner &amp; Indirect Tax Leader Mahesh Jaising said, "evolving trade patterns, rising compliance costs, and persistent procedural bottlenecks signal the need for the next phase of Customs reforms."
Nangia Global Partner- Indirect Tax, Rahul Shekar, said emphasis should be on end-to-end digitalisation of customs processes, with uniform documentation, predictable classification practices and faster, risk-based clearances, which would enhance trade facilitation and investor confidence. The government could consider a one-time amnesty scheme for legacy customs disputes to unlock revenue and ease litigation burden, he added.

PM Modi greeted the nation on Navratri, linking the festival with the GST Savings Festival to boost Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

PM Modi greets nation on Navratri, highlights Swadeshi and GST savings festival

PM Modi greeted the nation on Navratri, linking the festival with the GST Savings Festival to boost Swadeshi and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday greeted the nation on the occasion of Navratri, describing the festival as a time that gives fresh momentum to the mantra of &ldquo;Swadeshi.&rdquo; He urged people to work collectively towards building a developed and self-reliant India.
Calling this Navratri &ldquo;very special,&rdquo; the Prime Minister highlighted that the festival coincides with the GST Savings Festival, which, he said, will further strengthen the campaign to promote Indian-made products.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "This time, this auspicious occasion of Navratri is very special. Along with the GST Savings Festival, the mantra of Swadeshi is going to receive a new energy during this period. Let us come together in collective efforts for the fulfilment of the resolve for a developed and self-reliant India."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
इस बार नवरात्रि का यह शुभ अवसर बहुत विशेष है। GST बचत उत्सव के साथ-साथ स्वदेशी के मंत्र को इस दौरान एक नई ऊर्जा मिलने वाली है। आइए, विकसित और आत्मनिर्भर भारत के संकल्प की सिद्धि के लिए सामूहिक प्रयासों में जुट जाएं।
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1969941666124468612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
He also urged citizens to unite in supporting domestic goods and services, noting that Swadeshi is more than just an economic drive&mdash;it is also a step towards advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
A day earlier, while addressing the nation via video conferencing, the Prime Minister spoke about the government&rsquo;s recent reduction in GST rates. He said the reforms would ease financial pressures on households by lowering the cost of homes, vehicles, and everyday consumer goods, effectively launching the nationwide GST Bachat Utsav.
The Prime Minister said, "with lower GST rates, fulfilling personal dreams will become easier for citizens--whether it's building a house, purchasing a TV or refrigerator, or buying a scooter, bike, or car--all will now cost less." He further pointed out that travel would also become cheaper as GST rates on most hotel rooms have been reduced.
PM Modi expressed satisfaction with the positive response of traders and retailers to the changes, noting that "they are actively working to pass on the benefits of GST reductions to customers."
Extending his wishes for Navratri, a festival dedicated to the worship of Shakti, he said that from the very first day of the festival, the country is taking a decisive step forward in the campaign for Atmanirbhar Bharat.

CM Yogi Adityanath hailed the new GST reform as a transformative move, simplifying tax into two slabs, boosting jobs, consumption, and business confidence, while thanking PM Modi and FM Sitharaman for their visionary leadership.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath hails GST reform as a milestone towards Swadeshi and self-reliance

CM Yogi Adityanath hailed the new GST reform as a transformative move, simplifying tax into two slabs, boosting jobs, consumption, and business confidence, while thanking PM Modi and FM Sitharaman for their visionary leadership.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has welcomed the landmark decision on GST reform, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for what he described as visionary leadership.
He said the reform marks the beginning of a new chapter in India&rsquo;s tax system.
&ldquo;The Next Generation GST Reform, announced by the Prime Minister on Independence Day, is now becoming a reality. This is not merely a tax reform, but a decisive step towards positioning India as a leading global economy with a high growth trajectory,&rdquo; the Chief Minister said.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
स्वाधीनता दिवस के अवसर पर <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NextGenGST?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NextGenGST</a> Reforms का जो संकल्प आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> जी ने देश वासियों के सामने रखा था, आज वह धरातल पर उतरता हुआ दिखाई दे रहा है... नए GST सुधार खपत और मांग को गति देंगे, जिससे अर्थव्यवस्था मजबूत, स्थिर और समावेशी बनेगी... <a href="https://t.co/rXNJgo2lqQ">pic.twitter.com/rXNJgo2lqQ</a>
&mdash; Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) <a href="https://twitter.com/myogiadityanath/status/1963613592978125059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Yogi Adityanath underlined that the reform would boost the spirit of Swadeshi and self-reliance while driving demand across sectors such as automobiles, consumer durables, and construction, thereby creating lakhs of jobs.
Under the new framework, GST has been simplified into two slabs&mdash;5% and 18%. Essential commodities will remain under the 5% category, while a limited set of luxury items will attract up to 40% tax. Food, medicines, and educational materials placed in the 0&ndash;5% bracket are expected to reduce household expenditure, improve purchasing power for middle- and lower-income families, and stimulate consumption.
The Chief Minister said the reform will not only simplify taxation but also accelerate India&rsquo;s growth story, helping the country progress toward becoming a global economic powerhouse.
CM Yogi added, "This reform will empower farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and small traders alike. Provisions such as faster refunds and easier registration will provide strong support to small entrepreneurs and startups, further elevating the Ease of Doing Business in India."
He also highlighted that resolving the inverted duty structure, addressing classification disputes, and ensuring a transparent tax regime would strengthen business confidence. With consensus achieved between the Centre and states, he said, the reform is both comprehensive and widely acceptable.
Pointing to economic progress under the current government, Yogi Adityanath noted that wholesale inflation has been reduced to below 2% in recent years. He said the new GST reforms will accelerate demand and consumption, making the economy stronger, more stable, and more inclusive.
On behalf of Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s 25 crore citizens, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for what he called an &ldquo;unprecedented and revolutionary decision.&rdquo;

The GST Council, chaired by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, has started discussions on major reforms, including reducing slabs to 5% and 18%, cutting rates on daily-use goods, and easing compliance for MSMEs.

GST Council meet on rate reform begins; TDP supports, opposition bloc seeks revenue protection

The GST Council, chaired by FM Nirmala Sitharaman, has started discussions on major reforms, including reducing slabs to 5% and 18%, cutting rates on daily-use goods, and easing compliance for MSMEs.

The 56th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and comprising state ministers, on Wednesday started deliberations on 'next-gen GST' reforms, which will lower tax rates on items of mass consumption, remove duty inversion in sectors, like textiles, and ease compliance burden for MSMEs.
The Council, over the next two days, will discuss reducing the number of slabs in GST to just two -- 5 per cent and 18 per cent -- and removing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. Also, a special 40 per cent tax has been proposed on a select few items, including tobacco and ultra-luxury goods.
As per the sweeping rate change proposal put forth by the Centre and vetted by a group of state finance ministers, as many as 99 per cent of items in the 12 per cent category, such as butter, fruit juices and dry fruits, would move to a 5 per cent tax rate.
Similarly, electronic items like ACs, TVs, fridges, and washing machines, as well as other goods like cement, will be among the 90 per cent of the items that will move from 28 per cent to a lower 18 per cent slab.
While opposition-ruled states have demanded that all states be compensated for the revenue loss they incur post the implementation of the GST rejig, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav said his state is supporting the Centre's GST rate proposals.
"As an alliance partner, we are supporting the Centre's proposal of GST rate rationalisation. It is in favour of the common man," Keshav told reporters before the Council meeting. Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is an ally of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech on August 15, unveiled the plan for GST reforms. Shortly thereafter, the central government shared a blueprint of the planned reform with a Group of Ministers (GoM) from different states for initial vetting.
As many as eight sectors -- textiles, fertiliser, renewable energy, automotive, handicrafts, agriculture, health and insurance -- will benefit the most from the rate overhaul, as per the Centre's blueprint for GST reforms.
On Wednesday morning, before the Council meeting, eight opposition-ruled states -- Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal -- had their own meeting to formalise their strategy and reaffirmed their demand for revenue protection to give approval to the rate rejig.
Jharkhand Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore told reporters here that his state will suffer a Rs 2,000 crore revenue loss if the Centre's GST rate reform proposal is implemented.
"If the Centre agrees to compensate us for whatever loss we would incur, then we have no issues in approving the agenda before the Council. I don't think the issue will come up for voting, as in a federal structure, it is the responsibility of the Centre to compensate states for revenue loss," Kishore told reporters here after the meeting of the opposition bloc.
Under the present GST structure, the 18 per cent slab accounts for a lion's share or 65 per cent in GST collection. The 5 per cent slab contributes 7 per cent to the total GST kitty.
The top tax bracket of 28 per cent on luxury and sin goods contributes 11 per cent of the revenue, while the 12 per cent slab accounts for just 5 per cent of the revenue.
The Centre's GST reform proposal put forth before the Council rests on three pillars -- structural reforms, rate rationalisation and ease of living.
The structural reforms would ensure stability and predictability by providing "long-term clarity on rates and policy direction to build industry confidence and support better business planning".
On the 'ease of living' side, the finance ministry's proposal includes seamless, technology-driven GST registration, especially for small businesses and startups. It also suggested the implementation of pre-filled GST returns and faster, automated processing of refunds for exporters and those with an inverted duty structure.
"The next generation GST reforms... will set an economy absolutely open and transparent in the coming months and with further reduction in compliance burden, (reforms) will be making it easier for small businesses to thrive," Sitharaman had said on Tuesday at the Foundation Day celebrations of Tamil Nadu-based City Union Bank.

The GST rate rationalisation GoM approved the Centre’s move to a two-slab structure of 5% and 18%, removing the 12% and 28% slabs.

GoM supports Centre’s two-slab GST plan, agrees to scrap 12% and 28% rates

The GST rate rationalisation GoM approved the Centre&rsquo;s move to a two-slab structure of 5% and 18%, removing the 12% and 28% slabs.

The GoM of state ministers on GST rate rationalisation on Thursday accepted the Centre's proposal to move to a two-slab structure of 5 and 18 per cent.
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and convenor of rate rationalisation GoM Samrat Choudhary said the six-member state ministerial panel has also accepted the proposal of removing the 12 and 28 per cent slabs.
"Both the proposals of the Centre have been accepted by the GoM on rate rationalisation," Choudhary told reporters after the meeting of the panel.
Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Centre's proposal also includes levying 40 per cent tax on ultra luxury and sin goods.
West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said her state has proposed a levy on top of the 40 per cent GST rate so that the current tax incidence on ultra luxury goods, like cars, and sin goods, is maintained.
Bhattacharya said the Centre's proposal did not mention the revenue loss that would accrue to the Centre and states after the implementation of the new GST slabs.
At present, Goods and Services Tax is a 4-tier structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. While food items are either taxed at 0 or 5 per cent, luxury and sin goods are taxed at 28 per cent.
On top of the 28 per cent slab, cess at varied rates is levied on demerit and luxury goods, like cars.

The GST Council has reduced the tax rate for these food items from 18% to 12%

Namkeen Price Drop Alert! GST Cut To Make Your Favorite Snacks Cheaper

The GST Council has reduced the tax rate for these food items from 18% to 12%

Big news for snack lovers! The GST Council has slashed taxes on your favorite crispy treats. Namkeen and other savory snacks will now see a tax reduction from 18% to 12%. However, the FM stated that snacks made using the extrusion process would be taxed at 18 per cent. Un-fried or uncooked snack pellets will be taxed at 5 per cent.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The GST rate of extruded or expanded products, savoury or salted (other than un-fried or un-cooked snack pellets, by whatever name called, manufactured through process of extrusion), falling under HS 1905 90 30 to be reduced from 18 per cent to 12 per cent at par with namkeens, bhujia, mixture, chabena (pre-packaged and labelled) and similar edible preparations in ready for consumption form which are classifiable under HS 2106 90,&rdquo; the Ministry of Finance notification read.
&ldquo;To also clarify that the reduced GST rate of 12 per cent on extruded or expanded products, savoury or salted (other than un-fried or un-cooked snack pellets, by whatever name called, manufactured through process of extrusion), falling under HS 1905 90 30 is applicable prospectively,&rdquo; the notification read.

In June, GST collection rose by 8% to Rs 1.74 lakh crore, while the government ceased monthly data releases. From April to June this fiscal year, the gross GST collection amounted to Rs 5.57 lakh crore

June GST collection rises 8% to Rs 1.74 lakh crore: Report

<h2>In June, GST collection rose by 8% to Rs 1.74 lakh crore, while the government ceased monthly data releases. From April to June this fiscal year, the gross GST collection amounted to Rs 5.57 lakh crore</h2>

In June, the gross GST collection rose by 8% to Rs 1.74 lakh crore, reported PTI. Notably, the government has ceased the official monthly release of GST collection data.
<h3>GST collection in June</h3>
From April to June this fiscal year, the gross GST collection amounted to Rs 5.57 lakh crore. June's collection exceeded the Rs 1.73 lakh crore collected in May 2024 and marked an 8% increase from the Rs 1.61 lakh crore collected in June 2023.
In June, Rs 39,586 crore from Integrated GST (IGST) was allocated to Central GST (CGST), and Rs 33,548 crore was allocated to State GST (SGST). The GST collection reached a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April.
As per PTI, the government will no longer release statements regarding tax collections in the future.
Saurabh Agarwal, a Tax Partner at EY India, told PTI that this strong performance indicates a healthy economy, with businesses showing impressive compliance. The success is attributed to timely audits, scrutiny measures, and effective enforcement by the department.
Agarwal also mentioned that the notable increase in collections might set the stage for upcoming GST reforms. These reforms could address working capital issues, simplify tax rates, relax Input Tax Credit (ITC) restrictions, and introduce sector-specific solutions to tackle existing challenges.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/highest-ever-gst-collection-revenue-at-rs-2-1-lakh-crore-in-april-1714555213165">Highest ever GST Collection! Revenue at Rs 2.1 lakh crore in April</a>

The previous GST Council meeting, held on October 7, 2023, decided to impose a 28% levy on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing

GST Council to meet on June 22: Key industry expectations

The previous GST Council meeting, held on October 7, 2023, decided to impose a 28% levy on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing

The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will meet on June 22.
The meeting agenda has not yet been distributed but State Finance Ministers are expected to present suggestions for the indirect tax regime that could be incorporated into the Union Budget, likely to be presented next month.
According to the Hindu report, industry observers will be watching for signals from the Council on reviving plans to restructure the complex multiple-rate tax system, as GST revenues have increased significantly.
Also read/watch - <a title="Taj hotels emerges as world's strongest hotel brand amid rapid revenue growth" href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/taj-hotels-emerges-as-world-s-strongest-hotel-brand-amid-rapid-revenue-growth-1718271140060">Taj hotels emerges as world's strongest hotel brand amid rapid revenue growth</a>
Additionally, there is anticipation regarding a promised review of the 28% tax on bets made in online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.This will be the first Council meeting since the Lok Sabha elections.
The election results were declared on June 4, and Sitharaman was sworn in as a Cabinet minister in the new Modi Government on June 9. The previous GST Council meeting, held on October 7, 2023, decided to impose a 28% levy on online gaming, casinos, and horse racing.

The GST collection in April 2024 stands at Rs 2.10 lakh crore with 12.4% growth compared to the same period last year, surpassing the previous record collection of Rs 1.87 lakh crore made in April 2023

Highest ever GST Collection! Revenue at Rs 2.1 lakh crore in April

<h2>The GST collection in April 2024 stands at Rs 2.10 lakh crore with 12.4% growth compared to the same period last year, surpassing the previous record collection of Rs 1.87 lakh crore made in April 2023</h2>

In a milestone achievement, the Gross Goods and Services Tax collections hit a record high of Rs 2.10 lakh crore in April. As per a statement released by the Finance Ministry, this marks a 12.4% year-on-year growth. The previous highest ever GST collection was made in April 2023, with the figure at Rs 1.87 lakh crore
<h3>GST Collection</h3>
The GST collection stood at Rs 1.78 lakh crore in March. As per the Finance Ministry, the growth was driven by a 13.4% growth in domestic transaction and 8.3% growth in imports. After accounting for refunds, the net GST collection for April 2024 stood at Rs 1.92 lakh crore marking a 17.1% growth compared to the same period last year.
"After accounting for refunds, the net GST revenue for April 2024 stands at Rs 1.92 lakh crore, reflecting an impressive 17.1% growth compared to the same period last year," the press release read.
Meanwhile, as per Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, the revenue from GST which is a consumption tax is expected to top Rs 1.8 lakh crore on an average per month in FY25.
The average GST collection in FY24 was Rs 1.68 lakh crore while in FY23 it stood at Rs 1.51 lakh crore.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/gst-collections-hit-1-78-lakh-crore-in-march-second-highest-since-roll-out-1711974143673">GST collections hit ₹1.78 lakh crore in March, second highest since roll-out</a>

The highest-ever GST collection was recorded at Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023

GST collections hit ₹1.78 lakh crore in March, second highest since roll-out

<h2>The highest-ever GST collection was recorded at Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023</h2>

GST collections in March grew 11.5 per cent to Rs 1.78 lakh crore, buoyed by domestic transactions, the finance ministry said on Monday.
The gross GST collection for the last fiscal (April 2023-March 2024) stood at Rs 20.14 lakh crore, 11.7 per cent higher than the mop-up in the preceding fiscal.
The average monthly gross collection for FY24 stood at Rs 1.68 lakh crore, exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh crore in the preceding fiscal.
"Gross Good and Services Tax (GST) revenue for March 2024 witnessed the second highest collection ever at Rs 1.78 lakh crore, with a 11.5 per cent year-on-year growth. This surge was driven by a significant rise in GST collection from domestic transactions at 17.6 per cent," the ministry said in a statement.
The highest-ever GST collection was recorded at Rs 1.87 lakh crore in April 2023.
GST revenue net of refunds for March 2024 was Rs 1.65 lakh crore, 18.4 per cent higher over the same period a year ago.&nbsp;

The legal proceedings were commenced by the E-Gaming Federation, Play Games24x7, Head Digital Works, and other gaming startups, who are challenging the retrospective GST claims

SC issues notice to the government regarding ₹1.5 lakh crore GST demand from online gaming firms

The legal proceedings were commenced by the E-Gaming Federation, Play Games24x7, Head Digital Works, and other gaming startups, who are challenging the retrospective GST claims

The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of a petition filed by online gaming companies challenging the hefty tax demands of approximately ₹1.5 lakh crore imposed by the government, specifically on a 28% Goods and Services Tax rate. However, the court refrained from issuing a stay order on the tax notices already issued.
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud led a three-judge bench that has summoned responses from the Union government and the tax department within two weeks.
The legal action was initiated by the E-Gaming Federation, Play Games24x7, Head Digital Works, and other gaming startups contesting the retrospective GST claims. The issue arose following the Directorate General of GST Intelligence&rsquo;s move to serve notices to online gaming companies for the previous five fiscal years, amounting to nearly ₹1.5 trillion.
The contention revolves around the GST Council's August amendment specifying a 28% tax on online games involving bets, effective from October. Gaming firms argue that the tax should only apply post the amendment, while the government asserts that the revision merely clarified existing law, justifying its demand for retrospective tax dues.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified in the Lok Sabha that the 28% tax on entry-level bets was prospective, with clear guidelines on its application and the exclusion of winnings.
Simultaneously, the GST Department has informed the apex court about its intent to consolidate all cases from various high courts related to this issue into the Supreme Court.
Earlier in September, the Supreme Court had stayed a Karnataka High Court ruling that quashed a GST notice on Bengaluru-based Gameskraft Technology, involving alleged tax evasion of ₹21,000 crore.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/online-gaming-companies-gear-up-for-legal-battles-over-gst-ambiguity-1697170553189">Online gaming companies gear up for legal battles over GST ambiguity</a>

LIC plans to contest the notice by appealing to the commissioner. The insurer reassured that these developments wouldn't notably affect its finances, operations, or activities.

Maharashtra issues ₹806-cr GST notice to LIC; insurer plans to challenge the order

LIC plans to contest the notice by appealing to the commissioner. The insurer reassured that these developments wouldn't notably affect its finances, operations, or activities.

The State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has been served a substantial Goods and Services Tax (GST) notice totaling ₹806.3 crore by the Maharashtra deputy commissioner of state tax. The notice encompasses various compliance-related discrepancies identified during the fiscal year 2017-18.
Breaking down the colossal demand, LIC faces ₹365.02 crore of GST liabilities, coupled with a staggering penalty of ₹404.7 crore, and an additional interest payment of ₹36.5 crore. These charges primarily stem from purported violations including the failure to adhere to specific CGST rules, particularly concerning the reversal of input tax credit as mandated by rules 37 and 38. Furthermore, GST officials highlighted discrepancies in the reversal of input tax credit claimed from reinsurance, along with inadequate compliance with the reverse charge mechanism (RCM) liability compared to what LIC's suppliers reported.
In response to this substantial notice, LIC has expressed its intent to challenge the order by filing an appeal before the commissioner. Notably, the insurer affirmed through a regulatory filing that these developments are not anticipated to significantly impact its financials, operations, or other functions.
This notice from Maharashtra adds to a string of GST-related challenges LIC has encountered nationwide. Recent instances include a receipt of over ₹290 crore from Bihar state tax authorities in September 2023, encompassing tax liabilities, interest, and penalties. Earlier in October 2023, LIC faced a fine of ₹36,844 for underpayment of taxes in Jammu &amp; Kashmir, paying 12% GST instead of the required 18% on certain invoices.
Furthermore, the Telangana arm of the taxation authority served LIC a notice in December 2023, demanding ₹183 crore, covering pending dues, penalties, and interest for the fiscal year 2017-18. This notice specifically required LIC to settle ₹81.2 crore in pending GST dues, a penalty amounting to ₹93.2 crore, and an interest charge of ₹8.1 crore.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/gst-collections-rises-10-to-1-64-lakh-cr-in-dec-1704114538081">GST collections rises 10% to ₹1.64 lakh cr in Dec</a>

This marks the seventh month so far this year with collections exceeding Rs 1.60 lakh crore

GST collections rises 10% to ₹1.64 lakh cr in Dec

<h2>This marks the seventh month so far this year with collections exceeding Rs 1.60 lakh crore</h2>

Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections jumped 10 per cent to about Rs 1.64 lakh crore in December compared to Rs 1.49 lakh crore in the same month a year ago, the finance ministry said on Monday.
During the April-December 2023 period, gross GST collection witnessed a robust 12 per cent growth, reaching Rs 14.97 lakh crore, as against Rs 13.40 lakh crore collected in the same period of the previous year, the ministry said in a statement. Also read/watch - <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/zomato-breaks-delivery-records-on-new-year-s-eve-2023-customers-give-97-lakh-given-as-tips-1704102649603">Zomato breaks delivery records on New Year's Eve 2023; ₹97 lakh given as tips to delivery partners</a>
The average monthly gross GST collection of Rs 1.66 lakh crore in the first nine-month period this year represents a 12 per cent increase compared to the Rs 1.49 lakh crore average recorded in the corresponding period of FY23, it said.
"The gross GST revenue collected in the month of December, 2023 is Rs 1,64,882 crore out of which CGST is Rs 30,443 crore, SGST is Rs 37,935 crore, IGST is Rs 84,255 crore (including Rs 41,534 crore collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs 12,249 crore (including Rs 1,079 crore collected on import of goods)," it said.
Notably, this marks the seventh month so far this year with collections exceeding Rs 1.60 lakh crore, it said.

The main aim of this proposed initiative is to alleviate business burdens and foster a more favourable operational environment by removing criminal sanctions associated with specific tax evasion aspects

Government mulls raising GST evasion threshold to ₹3 crore

<h2>The main aim of this proposed initiative is to alleviate business burdens and foster a more favourable operational environment by removing criminal sanctions associated with specific tax evasion aspects</h2>

The government is contemplating a substantial adjustment in the threshold for arrests and criminal prosecutions related to Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion. A recent report by The Economic Times disclosed that the government is considering raising the threshold from the current ₹2 crore to ₹3 crore. The primary objective behind this proposed initiative is to ease the burden on businesses and promote a more conducive operational environment by decriminalizing certain aspects of tax evasion.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the apex body governing indirect taxes under the central government, is actively mulling over amendments aimed at refining the process of issuing summonses, reported ET.
These deliberations are anticipated to be presented before the GST Council soon, coinciding with potential pre-election amendments. Advocates for industry reforms are pushing for a more balanced approach to regulation, urging alterations in the penal code, continued the report.
Any amendments to the central and integrated GST Acts could align with the Centre's pre-general election considerations. Meanwhile, individual states are poised to make separate amendments to their respective GST Acts.
Proponents of the proposed changes argue that rationalizing thresholds for decriminalization could aid in addressing smaller or ambiguous cases. However, officials emphasize the importance of maintaining stringent measures for cases involving fake invoices and incorrect input tax credit claims.
Recent efforts by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) in tackling input tax credit fraud have yielded substantial results. Detecting 6,000 cases amounting to ₹57,000 crore in fraud, these efforts have led to 500 arrests. In the first half of the current fiscal year, the DGGI detected 1,040 cases of GST evasion, involving ₹1.36 lakh crore, resulting in a total of 91 arrests related to GST offences. Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/government-targets-50-000-crore-in-gst-recovery-with-multiple-notices-1698217183950#google_vignette">Government targets ₹50,000 crore in GST recovery with multiple notices</a>

Amidst the challenges being faced by India's gaming industry, a new report has slashed revenue projections for the sector due to the imposition of 28% GST

Gaming industry set to face significant drop in revenues amidst 28% GST impact: Report

<h2>Amidst the challenges being faced by India's gaming industry, a new report has slashed revenue projections for the sector due to the imposition of 28% GST</h2>

India's gaming industry is set to face a significant setback in terms of revenues, due to the 28% GST that's now being imposed.&nbsp; The revenue forecast of India's gaming industry has been slashed by Lumikai, a gaming venture fund. In its latest report, the Indian gaming market is expected to reach $7.5 billion in revenue by FY28, a drop from the earlier projection of $8.6 billion for FY27. Previous year's revenue&nbsp; In FY23, the Indian gaming industry generated $3.1 billion in revenue, marking a remarkable 19% growth from the $2.6 billion recorded in FY22. The report, a joint effort between Lumikai and Google, was presented at the India Game Developers Conference in Hyderabad.
It highlighted a $500 million increase in real-money gaming revenue for FY23. However, the imposition of the 28% GST is expected to pose challenges and lead to industry consolidation in the coming years.
Salone Sehgal, the founding general partner at Lumikai, expressed optimism regarding the future growth of the non-real money gaming sector in India. He pointed to rapid digitization, an influx of new gamers, and diverse gaming content consumption as key drivers behind the industry's positive outlook.&nbsp; Increase in the number of gamers
In FY23, there were approximately 140 million paying gamers, reflecting a substantial 17% year-on-year increase from the previous fiscal year. India boasted an overall gamer population of 568 million in FY23, indicating a significant 12% year-on-year rise from FY22. These gamers constituted over 50% of all Indian internet users. Furthermore, the average time spent on gaming increased by 20% year-on-year, with gamers dedicating 10-12 hours per week to gaming activities.
India's gaming industry also experienced a notable demographic shift in FY23. About 66% of gamers hailed from non-metro cities, a considerable increase from 57% in FY22. The majority of gamers, approximately 50%, fell within the 18-30 age bracket, maintaining a male-to-female ratio of approximately 60:40.
Meanwhile, online gaming firms have recently received GST show cause notices worth ₹1 lakh crore.&nbsp;

The GST collection for October is the second highest ever at Rs 1.72 lakh crore as the number of tax notices, anti-evasion drive and DGST investigations increased

October GST collections rise 13% YOY to Rs 1.72 lakh crore 

<h2>The GST collection for October is the second highest ever at Rs 1.72 lakh crore. This, as the number of tax notices, anti-evasion drive and DGST investigations increased</h2>

Ministry of Finance on Wednesday revealed that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) collection for October increased by 13% Y-O-Y to Rs 1.72 lakh crore.&nbsp;
<h3>&nbsp;GST Collection</h3>
October's collection is the second highest ever after April 2023 which stood at Rs 1.87 lakh crore. In September the collection was at Rs 1.63 lakh crore. Meanwhile, the average gross monthly GST collection for the fiscal year 2023-24 stands at Rs 1.66 lakh crore.
"The average gross monthly GST collection for the fiscal year 2023-24 now stands at Rs 1.66 lakh crore which is 11 per cent higher Y-o-Y," said the statement of the Finance Ministry
Also Read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/economy/government-targets-50-000-crore-in-gst-recovery-with-multiple-notices-1698217183950">Government targets ₹50,000 crore in GST recovery with multiple notices</a>
Out of the Rs 1.72 lakh crore, the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) component was Rs 30,062 crore, State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) was Rs 38,171 crore and Integrated Goods and Services Tax was Rs 91,315 crore.&nbsp;
Economic Times quoted Parag Mehta, Partner, Indirect Tax, N.A. Shah Associates who said that the increase in the GST collection is due to numerous notices, anti-evasion drive and DGST investigations.
"Spate of notices, anti-evasion drive, DGST investigations have led to substantial collections. Further, the period from September to December is a festive period where consumer spending is substantial on high-value items like real estate, vehicles, gold and travel," Parag Mehta told Economic Times.

GST Evasion: India targets ₹50,000 crore GST recovery, doubling last year's efforts. Vigorous measures and notices to companies lead to ₹1.36 lakh crore tax evasion identification. Check her for more details.

GST Tax Evasion: Government targets ₹50,000 crore in GST recovery with multiple notices

India targets ₹50,000 crore GST recovery, doubling last year's efforts. Vigorous measures, and notices to companies lead to ₹1.36 lakh crore evasion identification. Crackdown detects 6,000 fraud cases worth ₹57,000 crore. 

Government targets ₹50,000 crore in GST recovery with multiple notices

<h2>India targets ₹50,000 crore GST recovery, doubling last year's efforts. Vigorous measures, and notices to companies lead to ₹1.36 lakh crore evasion identification. Crackdown detects 6,000 fraud cases worth ₹57,000 crore.&nbsp;</h2>

GST India&rsquo;s government is poised to recover ₹50,000 crore in evaded Goods and Services Tax (GST) during the fiscal year 2024, marking a substantial increase from the ₹21,000 crore reclaimed in the previous fiscal year.&nbsp;
<h3>GST Evasion</h3>
GST officials have identified evasions totalling ₹1.36 lakh crore in the current fiscal year, already recuperating ₹14,108 crores. This surge in recovery is attributed to intensive efforts by the GST Departments, which have issued numerous notices to companies compelling compliance with tax demands.
<h3>GST Notices</h3>
Several sectors are under scrutiny, including insurance companies making incorrect claims of input tax credit, expatriate services taxed under the reverse charge mechanism, illicit clearances of tobacco products, and property transactions. Gaming company Delta Corp, among others, faced substantial tax demands, prompting the Bombay High Court to halt actions pending further hearings temporarily.
Furthermore, multinational corporations operating in India have received notices for an 18% tax on salaries and allowances paid to foreign expatriates by parent companies, with around 1,000 subsidiaries served with demands ranging from ₹1 crore to ₹150 crore. Additionally, digital companies, including advertising firms, edtech, and online gaming firms, are now subject to 18% Integrated GST (IGST) from October 1, broadening the tax base.
The crackdown on tax evasion has been intensified through rigorous compliance measures and amendments to the GST system, particularly focusing on emerging sectors. Efforts have led to the detection of over 6,000 fraudulent cases involving input tax credits between April 2020 and September 2023, with a total value exceeding ₹57,000 crore.&nbsp;
In the ongoing fiscal year, 14,000 cases of evasion have been detected, reflecting a determined effort to combat tax evasion and bolster tax recovery.&nbsp; Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/bombay-hc-gives-interim-relief-to-casino-firm-delta-corp-on-rs-16-195-crore-gst-notice-1698143518048">Bombay HC gives interim relief to Casino firm Delta Corp on Rs 16,195 crore GST notice</a>

Delta Corp and its subsidiaries have received show cause notices from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence for payment of tax shortfall to the tune of Rs 23,000 crore

Bombay HC gives interim relief to Casino firm Delta Corp on Rs 16,195 crore GST notice 

<h2>Delta Corp and its subsidiaries have received show cause notices from the Directorate General of GST Intelligence for payment of tax shortfall to the tune of Rs 23,000 crore</h2>

GST Notice:&nbsp;In a big relief to Delta Corp, the Goa Bench of Bombay HC has barred the tax authorities from passing any final order on the Rs 16,195-crore GST notice issued to the firm.
<h3>HC Order</h3>
The Goa bench has directed Directorate General of &nbsp;GST Intelligence, Hyderabad not to pass final orders on Rs 16,195-crore tax notice without its prior permission. The tax authorities last month had sent show cause notices to the casino firm and its subsidiaries for payment of tax shortfall to the tune of Rs 23,000 crore.
Earlier, Sikkim High Court had also asked DGGI to not take any further action in the matter of Rs 628-crore GST show cause notice to Delta Corp.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/business-news/gst-on-casinos-after-online-gaming-firms-authorities-to-send-tax-notices-to-casinos-1697460567974">GST on casinos: After online gaming firms, authorities to send tax notices to Casinos</a>
In a regulatory filing, the firm said dates are fixed &nbsp;for completion of pleadings, and the hearing and final disposal of the writ petition filed.
"The Hon&rsquo;ble High Court of Bombay at Goa considered the writ petitions filed by the Company and its subsidiaries on 23rd October, 2023. Basis a statement made on behalf of the concerned tax authorities, the Hon&rsquo;ble High Court has directed such authorities not to pass any final orders on the captioned show cause notices without the prior permission of the Hon&rsquo;ble High Court. Dates have been fixed for completion of pleadings, and the hearing and final disposal of such writ petitions," said Delta Corp in a stock exchange filing.
Senior Advocate Harish Salve who appeared for Delta Corp mentioned that they will respond to the show cause notice by December 15, 2023.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

gst

Categories