The Central GST (CGST) officers have uncovered tax evasion worth ₹1.88 lakh crore between April and December 2024, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, shared these figures while highlighting efforts to curb tax fraud under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.
Major Crackdown on GST Fraud
During this period, authorities investigated 72,393 cases involving tax evasion, including fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims. As a result, 132 individuals were arrested, and the government recovered ₹20,128 crore.
The crackdown on GST evasion has been an ongoing effort. In the 2023-24 financial year, CGST officials detected ₹2.30 lakh crore worth of evasion in 20,582 cases, leading to 223 arrests and the recovery of ₹31,758 crore. Previous years also saw significant detections:
- 2022-23: ₹1.32 lakh crore evasion identified.
- 2021-22: ₹73,238 crore evasion uncovered.
GST Tax Structure and Special Rates
GST in India is levied under four main tax slabs: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%. Additionally, special tax rates apply to specific commodities:
- 3% on gold, silver, and jewelry.
- 1.5% on cut and polished diamonds.
- 0.25% on rough diamonds.
A GST compensation cess is also applied to items such as tobacco products, aerated drinks, and vehicles at varying rates.
Action Against Fake GST Registrations
To tackle fake GST registrations, CGST and state GST officers conducted two special drives in 2023 and 2024:
- May-August 2023: Authorities found 21,808 non-existent GSTINs and detected tax evasion of ₹24,357 crore. Eight people were arrested.
- August-October 2024: Officials uncovered 68,393 fake GSTINs and identified tax evasion of ₹25,346 crore. Nineteen people were arrested.
These efforts reflect the government’s strong stance against tax fraud and its commitment to strengthening GST compliance in the country.
