Aadhaar Biometric Authentication at GST Seva Kendras

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Thursday the approval of biometric Aadhaar authentication through Goods and Services Tax (GST) Seva Kendras for Andhra Pradesh. This significant development aims to streamline the GST registration process while bolstering security measures. The move comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of tax-related services and improve the overall taxpayer experience.

In October, the nation witnessed a noteworthy upswing in GST collection, reaching a 10-month high at ₹1.72 lakh crore. Sitharaman highlighted that the introduction of biometric Aadhaar authentication is poised to contribute to this positive trend, fostering a more secure and seamless GST registration procedure.

Andhra Pradesh, in particular, has exhibited robust growth in GST collections. The state recorded an impressive 12% annual growth in post-settlement GST proceeds from April to October 2023. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of GST Bhavan in Tirupati, Sitharaman commended the Tirupati Commissionerate for its noteworthy contribution to GST revenue. The Commissionerate collected ₹8,264 crore in GST revenue during FY23 and an additional ₹5,019 crore from April to September 2023.

Sitharaman attributed this remarkable growth to key sectors such as the manufacturing of passenger vehicles, cement, and automotive batteries. These industries have played a pivotal role in driving economic activity and contributing to the state’s rising GST revenue.

India’s overall GST collection exhibited a significant 13% year-on-year increase, reaching ₹1.72 lakh crore in October. This marks the second-highest GST revenue collection in the country’s history. The total collection for both the central and state governments in October amounted to ₹72,934 crore and ₹74,785 crore, respectively.

During the event, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra urged officers of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) to maintain their focus on addressing taxpayer grievances. This emphasizes the government’s commitment to providing a taxpayer-friendly environment and ensuring effective dispute resolution within the taxation framework.

_{Repurposed article originally published in Live Mint}