Punjab Outshines Nation with 14.59% GST Growth in May 2026
–Gross GST Collections Rise by Over ₹305 Crore; Enforcement Drives Yield Strong Results
–Punjab’s GST Growth Far Exceeds National Growth Rate of 3.2%
–State Recovers More Than ₹178 Crore Through Targeted Enforcement Operations
–₹85.4 Crore Fake Billing Racket Busted; Ludhiana Firm Director Arrested
Chandigarh, June 1
Highlighting Punjab’s strong fiscal performance, Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the state recorded a robust 14.59 percent growth in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections during May 2026. The state’s gross GST collection reached ₹2,400.52 crore, reflecting an increase of ₹305.71 crore compared to ₹2,094.81 crore collected in May 2025.
The Finance Minister said that the impressive rise in GST collections reflects sustained economic activity, improved tax compliance, and the effective implementation of enforcement measures by the Excise and Taxation Department.
In a press communiqué issued here, Harpal Singh Cheema pointed out that Punjab’s GST performance significantly outperformed national trends. While the country recorded an overall GST revenue growth of approximately 3.2 percent during the same period, Punjab achieved a much higher growth rate of 14.59 percent. He added that the state’s cash collection growth stood at 6.57 percent, demonstrating a stronger revenue base, improved compliance levels, and efficient tax administration.
watch……ਆਪ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ 4 ਸਾਲ: ਗਾਰੰਟੀਆਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ, ਨਸ਼ੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇੜੇ
Highlighting enforcement achievements, the Finance Minister said that the State Intelligence and Preventive Units (SIPUs) across Punjab imposed penalties amounting to ₹182.69 crore and recovered ₹178.76 crore during May 2026 alone. These recoveries were achieved through advanced data analytics, intelligence-led investigations, targeted verification exercises, and coordinated field operations across the state.
Sharing details of a major crackdown on tax evasion, Cheema revealed that the Punjab Taxation Department successfully uncovered an ₹85.4 crore fake billing racket during May 2026. In connection with the case, the director of a Ludhiana-based firm was arrested for allegedly claiming fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth ₹15.56 crore through bogus transactions.
Investigations by SIPU revealed the use of non-existent firms, fake invoices, fraudulent debit notes, and fabricated transportation records to facilitate tax fraud. The accused was arrested under the provisions of the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, and authorities subsequently recovered nearly ₹3 crore from beneficiaries linked to the fraudulent network.
Concluding his statement, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema reiterated that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government remains firmly committed to protecting public revenue and ensuring a fair business environment for honest taxpayers. He said the government is leveraging advanced data analytics, e-way bill scrutiny, FASTag verification, and intelligence-based monitoring to curb tax evasion.
The Finance Minister reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy against fake billing and organized tax evasion, stating that the Excise and Taxation Department will continue to safeguard the interests of genuine taxpayers through a balanced approach of facilitation, strict monitoring, and uncompromising enforcement.
