Nirmala Sitharaman Happy With GST Growth In AP

Biometric Aadhaar authentication is set to be introduced at GST Seva Kendras in Andhra Pradesh, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

This move, aimed at streamlining the GST registration process and enhancing security, received approval and is expected to facilitate a more efficient and secure system.

The announcement was made during the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of GST Bhavan at Tirupati, where Sitharaman highlighted the remarkable growth in GST revenue in Andhra Pradesh. The Tirupati Commissionerate, she noted, collected ₹8,264 crore in GST revenue in FY23 and ₹5,019 crore from April to September 2023, attributing the growth to sectors such as the manufacturing of passenger vehicles, cement, and automotive batteries.

The nationwide trend in GST collection saw a notable uptick in October, reaching a 10-month high of ₹1.72 lakh crore. Andhra Pradesh, aligning with this trend, exhibited a robust 12% annual growth in post-settlement GST proceeds from April to October 2023.

The Finance Minister’s announcement reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging technology, such as biometric Aadhaar authentication, to enhance efficiency and security in tax-related processes.