Yogi Adityanath Directs Faster Refunds, Stronger GST Push

In a significant push to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s fiscal position, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the commercial tax department to ensure quick refunds and simplify compliance for traders. During a comprehensive review meeting, he highlighted the need for a responsive, technology-enabled tax administration that supports honest taxpayers while cracking down on evasion. The state has made notable progress. In 2025-26, revenue from GST and VAT reached ₹1,15,977 crore, nearly meeting the revised estimate. GST collections placed Uttar Pradesh second nationally. Recovery of outstanding dues showed remarkable improvement, with GST arrears rising 228 percent year-on-year to ₹2,658 crore. Looking ahead, the department must achieve a target of ₹1,98,071 crore in 2026-27. April 2026 already showed positive momentum, with collections up 9.6 percent. Zones such as Saharanpur and Varanasi reported growth exceeding 33 percent. The Chief Minister asked lagging zones to submit targeted improvement strategies immediately. Officials reported that 63,797 appeals were disposed of last year, though 20,697 cases remain pending. The Chief Minister directed time-bound resolution of these appeals. He also praised the state’s performance in GST registration, which now processes applications in eight days on average. To further improve transparency, virtual hearings have been introduced in 22 corporate circles. Data analytics tools are being used to scrutinise 1.59 lakh annual returns, resulting in demands worth ₹2,369 crore. The Chief Minister stressed that artificial intelligence and predictive analysis will be key to reducing corruption and increasing efficiency. Extensive outreach efforts have connected the department with traders across all districts. From June 2026, similar programmes will be rolled out at the block level. The government is also engaging with jewellers and other sectors to address specific compliance concerns arising from global economic shifts.