Chandigarh, September 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab recorded an 11.84 per cent year-on-year increase in net GST revenue in August 2026, while State GST (SGST) cash collections registered an 18.77 per cent growth, the highest among major states, Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Tuesday.
The state collected ₹2,406.33 crore in net GST revenue in August 2026, compared with ₹2,151.63 crore during the corresponding month last year. The increase of ₹254.70 crore represents an 11.84 per cent growth.
Cheema said SGST cash collections also witnessed a significant rise, increasing from ₹750.37 crore in August 2025 to ₹891.24 crore in August 2026. The ₹140.87-crore increase translates into 18.77 per cent growth, which he described as the highest SGST cash growth among major states during the month.
For the April-August 2026 period, Punjab’s gross GST revenue stood at ₹12,861.42 crore, against ₹10,971.62 crore in the corresponding period of 2025. This represents an increase of ₹1,889.80 crore, or 17 per cent.
The minister also said the combined collection increased by 15.74 per cent, rising from ₹619.18 crore in August 2025 to ₹716.66 crore in August 2026.
Cheema attributed the improved revenue performance to sustained economic activity, compliance by honest taxpayers and technology-driven tax administration. At the same time, he said the Excise and Taxation Department had intensified enforcement to curb tax evasion and financial malpractice.
He said three GST-evasion cases were registered at Mandi Gobindgarh on August 20 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The cases involved Narinder Singh, proprietor of M/s N.K. Traders, Motia Khan, Gobindgarh (FIR No. 277); Kingraj, proprietor of M/s KH Traders, Gobindgarh, originally from Patrewala, Fazilka (FIR No. 278); and Hanish, proprietor of M/s Hanish Enterprises, Gobindgarh, originally from Pinjore, Panchkula (FIR No. 279).
In another enforcement action, the State GST Mobile Wing detected a suspected bogus-refund network involving M/s Aone International. The operation resulted in the recovery of ₹1 crore in cash and freezing of around ₹18 lakh in a bank account. Refund applications worth about ₹5 crore were also stopped pending verification.
Cheema said the investigation concerns suspected bogus purchases, wrongful availment of input tax credit and attempts to obtain fraudulent refunds. Further investigation is underway to identify connected entities and recover the remaining amount.
The minister said Punjab would continue combining taxpayer facilitation with data-led scrutiny and field enforcement. Warning those involved in bogus billing, fake input tax credit and fraudulent refund networks, he said every such network would be traced and public revenue protected in accordance with law.
Cheema credited compliant taxpayers and Excise and Taxation Department officials for the improved collections, adding that higher revenue would strengthen the state’s capacity to fund public services and development.
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