GST: GST evasion of Rs 1.88 lakh crore caught during April-December 2024, Government informed Lok Sabha
New Delhi| Central GST officials detected GST evasion of over Rs 1.88 lakh crore during April – December 2024. This information was given in the Lok Sabha on Monday. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary reported that between April and December, the GST evasion figure, including 72,393 cases of ITC fraud, stood at Rs 1.88 lakh crore. During this period, 132 arrests were made and Rs 20,128 crore was recovered.
In FY 2023-24 CGST officials detected GST evasion of Rs 2.30 lakh crore in 20,582 cases. Of these, Rs 31,758 crore was recovered and 223 people were arrested. GST evasion of Rs 1.32 lakh crore and Rs 73,238 crore detected by CGST officials in 2022-23 and 2021-22 respectively.
Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), taxes are levied under four main slabs – 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent. Three special rates of 3 per cent, 1.5 per cent and 0.25 per cent are applicable to gold, silver, diamonds and jewellery, respectively; these are applied to cut and polished diamonds and rough diamonds, respectively. Further, GST Compensation Cess is applicable only on tobacco and tobacco products, aerated beverages and vehicles etc. at different rates.
To detect fake registrations, central and state GST authorities conducted two special campaigns in 2023 from May to August and in 2024 from August to October. The first campaign against fake registration found 21,808 non-existent GSTINs and detected tax evasion of Rs 24,357 crore. Eight people were arrested in this regard. The second campaign found 68,393 non-existent GSTINs and detected tax evasion of Rs 25,346 crore. 19 persons were arrested.
