Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has asked officials to adopt effective strategies for boosting tax revenue collection.
The CM emphasised the need for well-planned and coordinated efforts to achieve revenue targets, encouraging teamwork and active communication with traders.
Highlighting the state’s steady growth in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Value Added Tax (VAT) collections, he exhorted for mission-mode efforts to meet the ambitious revenue target of Rs 1.75 trillion for the next financial year 2025-26.
He noted that proactive initiatives of the tax department have delivered significant results, making UP the leading state in the country for GST registrations.
The number of registered traders in UP swelled from 1.72 million in 2023-24 to 1.99 million in 2024-25.
Yogi directed officials to continue expanding the registration base and maintain regular dialogue with traders to encourage compliance.
Emphasising the importance of filing GST returns, he noted that UP ranks among the leading states in the filing of returns.
He called for making sustained efforts to motivate traders to fulfil this responsibility.
With the GST system operating entirely online, the CM stressed the need to leverage IT tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data analysis to enhance revenue collection.
He instructed a thorough review of officers’ work and performance, from Commercial Tax Officers to Joint Commissioners, ensuring irregularities in revenue collection are identified and addressed. He also directed that officer grading should be performance-based, influencing their promotions and postings.
To curb tax evasion, the Chief Minister called for an area-wise strategy, intensive training programs, and well-defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
He asserted that systematic and planned measures are key to effectively preventing revenue theft.
The CM reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the welfare of GST-registered traders, emphasising the provision of financial assistance in case of accidental death or permanent disability.
Under this initiative, the state provides up to Rs 10 lakh to the nominee or successor of a deceased trader, as well as to traders suffering from partial or complete disability.
He directed officials to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the scheme’s benefits with sensitivity.
Highlighting revenue theft as a national loss, Yogi stressed the need for deploying skilled and dedicated officers in survey and raid teams to curb tax evasion.
He emphasised maintaining strict confidentiality for the success of such actions. Noting that UP’s AI-based return scrutiny system has set an example for other states, he called for continued innovation in tax administration.
The CM also instructed the department to felicitate top taxpayers at the state, zone, division, and district levels, recognising their contribution to economic growth.