SRINAGAR: Commissioner State Taxes Jammu and Kashmir P.K. Bhat has set a monthly revenue target of ₹800 crore and directed officials in Kashmir Division to intensify tax compliance monitoring, improve collections and take strict action against fraudulent input tax credit (ITC) claims.
The directions were issued at a review meeting attended by Additional Commissioner State Taxes, Kashmir Division, Parveez Ahmad Raina, and State Taxes Officers from across the division.
Reviewing revenue performance, Bhat said the impact of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation had largely stabilised and called for efforts to keep Jammu and Kashmir’s revenue growth in line with the national trend, where GST revenue growth exceeds 15 per cent, according to the department.
He stressed the need to improve cash collections and ensure appropriate settlement of Integrated GST (IGST) in line with value addition within the Union Territory.
The Commissioner directed officers to closely monitor September GST returns, including quarterly filings under the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme. He stressed timely filing of GSTR-1 returns to support revenue collection, protect the integrity of ITC claims and curb fraudulent transactions.
Officials were also asked to follow up on approximately ₹2,500 crore reflected in GSTR-7 returns to ensure timely realisation of the corresponding revenue.
With registration and return-filing procedures becoming simpler, Bhat called for greater reliance on data analytics to identify tax evasion, particularly through scrutiny of purchases from unregistered persons and verification of their supply chains.
He directed officers to use Section 71 of the GST Act for inspection and verification of business records wherever legally permissible. He also advised issuing consolidated show-cause notices covering multiple financial years, subject to statutory limitations and applicable legal provisions.
The Commissioner cautioned officers against initiating proceedings solely on the basis of third-party information and stressed the need for independent verification before taking action. He also called for time-bound follow-up of show-cause notices, accountability of officers handling proceedings and adequate preparation to defend departmental cases before the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).
To improve compliance in tourism-related businesses, officers were directed to conduct targeted inspections at major destinations, including Gulmarg and Sonamarg. The department was also asked to maintain surveillance over sectors vulnerable to fraudulent ITC transactions and issue alerts promptly when wrongful claims or passing on of credit were detected.
Bhat and Raina directed officers to implement the instructions within stipulated timelines and strengthen enforcement to achieve the prescribed revenue targets.
