SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir State Taxes Commissioner PK Bhat has directed tax officers in the Kashmir Division to intensify revenue collection, strengthen compliance monitoring and adopt data-driven enforcement to achieve the prescribed annual revenue target, reiterating a monthly revenue target of Rs 800 crore.
Bhat issued the directions while chairing a review meeting on the revenue performance of the Kashmir Division, organised by Additional Commissioner State Taxes, Kashmir Division, Parveez Ahmad Raina, and attended by State Taxes Officers from all circles.
Raina presented a detailed assessment of the performance of the division’s circles, covering revenue collected so far, measures being implemented to improve collections and the proposed strategy for the coming months to meet the target for the current financial year.
The Commissioner said the impact of GST rate rationalisation had largely stabilised, creating scope for improved revenue realisation in the coming months. Citing national GST revenue growth of more than 15 per cent, he asked officers to step up collection efforts to keep Jammu and Kashmir in line with the national growth trend.
He also stressed the need to increase cash collections and ensure effective settlement of Integrated GST (IGST) in proportion to value addition within the Union Territory.
On compliance, Bhat directed officers to closely monitor September returns, including quarterly filings under the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme. He said timely filing of GSTR-1 returns was essential for revenue realisation, maintaining the integrity of input tax credit (ITC) and preventing fraudulent transactions.
Referring to around Rs 2,500 crore reflected in GSTR-7 returns, he called for systematic follow-up to ensure timely realisation of the corresponding revenue.
The Commissioner said simplified registration and return-filing procedures required a stronger focus on intelligence-led enforcement. He directed officers to use data analytics to scrutinise purchases from unregistered persons and verify the associated supply chains.
He also called for appropriate use of Section 71 of the GST Act to inspect and verify business records wherever legally permissible. Officers were advised to issue consolidated show-cause notices covering multiple financial years, subject to statutory limitations and applicable legal provisions.
Bhat cautioned officers against initiating proceedings solely on the basis of third-party information, stressing the need for independent verification and due application of mind by the concerned proper officers.
He further directed time-bound follow-up of show-cause notices, accountability of proper and adjudicating officers, and comprehensive preparation to defend departmental cases before the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).
Highlighting the revenue potential of tourism and hospitality, he ordered targeted inspections at major destinations, including Gulmarg and Sonamarg, to check compliance and ensure collection of legitimate tax dues.
Officers were also directed to maintain surveillance over sectors vulnerable to fraudulent ITC transactions and issue appropriate alerts promptly whenever wrongful availment or passing on of credit was detected.
Concluding the meeting, Bhat and Raina called for time-bound implementation of the directions, with emphasis on accountability, proactive enforcement and sustained revenue mobilisation to achieve the annual target.
