Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Friday that the state has once again broken records in tax revenue growth, with Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections registering a net increase of 32.08 per cent in July 2025 compared to the same period last year.
He stated that this robust performance is part of a consistent trend, with the state recording year-on-year and month-on-month growth in tax revenue for the past three and a half years.
In a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted that net GST revenue collected in July 2025 stood at Rs 2,357.78 crore, a substantial rise of Rs 572.71 crore from the Rs 1,785.07 crore collected in July 2024.
He noted that the state’s impressive growth trajectory is also evident in the year-to-date figures. “Up to July of the current financial year, net GST revenue has reached Rs 9,188.18 crore, marking an increase of Rs 2,025.36 crore over the Rs 7,162.82 crore collected during the same period in the 2024–25 fiscal year,” he added.
Finance Minister Cheema attributed this remarkable growth to the effective policies implemented by the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, which have fostered a conducive business environment and encouraged tax compliance. He added that the department’s enforcement efforts have also played a crucial role in curbing tax evasion while simultaneously providing support to honest taxpayers.
Highlighting the department’s firm stance against tax evasion, Finance Minister Cheema revealed that the State Investigation and Preventive Unit (SIPU) of the Punjab Taxation Department recovered Rs 156.40 crore in penalties during the first quarter of FY 2025–26.
The recovery includes Rs 57.43 crore from road checks and Rs 98.97 crore from inspections and verifications. Additionally, SIPU uncovered two major GST fraud cases, involving Rs 2,620.80 crore in fake transactions and an estimated tax evasion of Rs 296.32 crore. The department intensified its enforcement actions, leading to the registration of two FIRs in June 2025 in connection with scams exceeding these amounts.
The Finance Minister emphasised that the Punjab government’s proactive measures have positioned the state among the top performers in tax mobilisation despite numerous challenges. He noted that Punjab’s GST collection growth rate has consistently surpassed the national average, underscoring the effectiveness of the state government’s policies and initiatives.
Minister Cheema reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, efficient, and equitable tax system that supports economic growth while ensuring fair contributions from all stakeholders. “With its robust fiscal management, Punjab is poised for further financial achievements, paving the way for a prosperous and progressive future,” he concluded.
Source from: https://www.thestatesman.com/india/punjab-achieves-32-pc-growth-in-gst-revenue-for-july-2025-fm-1503465489.html
