Reaffirming Punjab’s strong fiscal performance, Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Monday that the state recorded a robust 14.59 per cent growth in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections during May 2026.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the retrospective levy of 28 per cent GST on online gaming bets, holding that the tax was constitutionally valid and did not violate the constitutional framework governing Goods and Services Tax.
The gross GST collection spiked by 8.7 per cent in April to a record of about Rs 2.43 trillion, government data showed.
The report also identifies key structural challenges constraining India's global competitiveness — fragmented state-led branding, limited global marketing outreach, lack of experience-led packaging, and ease-of-travel barriers including connectivity and visa processes.
The Delhi government moves to reset GST operations with large-scale transfers after inspection highlights discipline issues, long postings and complaints from taxpayers over delays and inefficiencies.
'Many have been badly affected by this- lakhs of poor families, crores lost their jobs, states' economy was affected,' he said.
'The Government will give a further relaxation of 0.5% in states' borrowing limit under FRBM Act,' the Finance Minister said.
While the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) is scheduled from September 1-6, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is planned on September 13.
The finance ministry has argued that sanitisers attract GST at the rate of 18 per cent because these are like soaps and antibacterial liquids, all of which attract duty at the standard rate of 18 per cent. If so all of them should either be taxed lower or spared the burden of tax.
Participating in the 40th GST Council meeting held under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister and Chairman GST Council, Nirmala Sitharaman through video conference, he thanked the Union government for having provided liberal support to the state.
