RPP, in a statement, has claimed that after the introduction of GST, revenue collection for the state has tripled where it could be “safely assumed” that for the year 2021-22, the collection will cross Rs.1000 crore
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
The Rising People’s Party (RPP), Nagaland, has questioned the Nagaland government on the utilisation of GST revenue and demanded a clarification from the finance department on it.
RPP, in a statement, has claimed that after the introduction of GST, revenue collection for the state has tripled where it could be “safely assumed” that for the year 2021-22, the collection will cross Rs.1000 crore and if we aggregate the GST collections for the last 3-4 years, the amount is in several
thousands of crores.
“For a small state like ours, this is a colossal amount: so the question is, how’s the GST money being utilized?”, RPP asked.
It also stated that given the GST collection, the state government making a grandiose statement in September that it was ready to release Rs. 20 crore for the project, a paltry amount, is nothing short of fooling the public. It’s another story that the money is yet to be released.
The RPP also questioned the elected MLA’s are aware of how the GST collection is being utilized and if yes, they should , for the sake of transparency, address the issue in public domain and if not, are all the elected MLAs are prepared to raise the issue during this winter session of the Assembly, at least for the sake of Foothill Road.
On Foothill Road: The RPP has also claimed that after the introduction of GST, the revenue collection from it, the state has enough funds to complete the Foothill Road.
“This UDA government keeps on fooling the public that it has no money and yet the story is alarmingly different”, RPP said while also stating that it has already stated in its previous press release that revenue accumulated through GST is enough to complete the foothill road project (See Table).
“Till the Finance department issues a proper clarification, the presumption is that thousands of Crores of GST revenue continues to be mis-utilized, money which is more than sufficient to complete the
Foothill Road several times over, and the conclusion is that the Chief Minister is responsible for the delay in completing the Foothill Road”, RPP added.
Table showing the total revenue collections before and after the implementation of GST in 2017.
Year Amount collected
2014-15 Rs. 325 Cr 01 Lakh 43,000
2015-16 Rs.367 Cr 19 Lakh 57,000
2016-17
GST introduced on 1st July 2017 Rs.435 Cr 67 Lakh 28,000
2017-18 Rs.513 Cr 94 Lakh 78,000
2018-19 Rs.698 Cr 57 Lakh 90,000
2019-20 Rs.819 Cr 88 Lakh 93,000
2020-21 Rs.909 Cr 00 Lakh 55,000