Punjab Sees Record GST Growth in June 2025; Major Fraud Syndicates Busted

Chandigarh:
Punjab has recorded an unprecedented surge in tax revenue collections for the month of June 2025, marking a historic high in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections both for the month and the first quarter of the financial year 2025–26.

Addressing a press conference, Punjab Finance Minister revealed that the state recorded a 44.44% increase in net GST collection for June 2025, compared to June 2024, and a 27.01% increase in collections for the first quarter of the financial year. These figures mark the highest quarterly and monthly GST growth in the state’s fiscal history.

June 2025 GST Collection Stats

• Net GST Collection (June 2025): ₹2,379.90 crore

• Net GST Collection (June 2024): ₹1,647.69 crore

• Year-on-Year Increase: ₹732.21 crore (44.44%)

For the April–June quarter (Q1 FY 2025-26), the state recorded:

• Total Net GST Collection: ₹6,830.40 crore

• Q1 FY 2024-25 Collection: ₹5,377.75 crore

• YoY Quarterly Growth: 27.01%

This is over four times the 6.41% growth achieved during Q1 of FY 2024–25.

Despite the India-Pakistan border tension in May 2025, Punjab’s GST trajectory remained upward with monthly net growth rates of:

• April 2025: 15.35%

• May 2025: 24.59%

• June 2025: 44.44%

Top 5 Tax Contributors Felicitated

The Finance Minister, along with Taxation Secretary Ajit Balaji Joshi and Excise & Taxation Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, felicitated Punjab’s top five GST contributors:

1. Ashu Agnihotri – Ambuja Cement

2. Sanjay Malhotra – HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL)

3. Chaman Lal Sharma – Samsung India Pvt Ltd

4. Ankush Sharma – Tata Steel

5. Nitin Dada – Dada Motors

The Minister stated that Punjab’s GST growth has surpassed the national average, a reflection of increased compliance, robust administration, and industrial performance.

Three-Year GST Growth Trend

• FY 2022–23: 16.25%

• FY 2023–24: 15.51%

• FY 2024–25: 12.84%

• Total GST Revenue in Three Years: ₹62,733 crore

In contrast, during the Congress-led regime from FY 2018–19 to FY 2021–22, the state collected only ₹55,146 crore, highlighting the improvement under the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government.

Major GST Fraud Syndicates Busted

In a parallel development, Punjab’s State Intelligence and Preventive Unit (SIPU) uncovered two major GST fraud operations:

1. Fake Billing Syndicate by Accountant

• Operated using 20 shell firms

• Created fraudulent invoices to claim fake Input Tax Credit (ITC)

• Fake transactions worth: ₹866.67 crore

• Tax evasion estimated at: ₹157.22 crore

2. E-Way Bill Scam by Transporter

• Company: M/s Maa Durga Roadlines

• Created fake e-way bills for unaccounted goods transport

• Total bogus billing: ₹168 crore

• Tax liability evaded: ₹30.66 crore

Both syndicates are under active investigation, and officials have assured strong legal action against the culprits.

Minister’s Statement

The Finance Minister stated:

“This consistent growth is the result of tight monitoring, taxpayer facilitation, and crackdown on fraudulent activities. We are committed to maintaining this momentum to make Punjab financially self-reliant.”