Friday, 22 July 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed officials concerned to increase Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection along with revenue sources in the State. He stressed that the measures being adopted by neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and other mountain States should be studied for this purpose. Dhami said this while chairing a review meeting with senior officials regarding boosting sources of income for the State and investment possibilities here on Thursday. He said that officials should focus on developing an effective system to check tax evasion, adding that they should also work on linking beneficiaries of schemes executed by the State government with Aadhaar cards.
Addressing the officials, the chief minister said that efforts should be made to achieve a sector-wise increase in GST collection. As many people as possible should be motivated to file their returns and focus should also be laid on facilitating a consumer encouragement scheme so that all people become habituated to taking a receipt while buying items. He further said that the system of informants, intelligence system and IT team should also be strengthened. Help can also be taken from the Information Technology Development Agency. The chief minister directed that the audit wing should be made effective to clamp down on tax evasion.
He said that all departments can be helpful in increasing sources of income by implementing a better work culture. Dhami directed principal secretary RK Sudhanshu to ensure the effective implementation of the single-window system and prepare a work plan for the establishment of land bank. If big hotels in large numbers are established in the State, the tourism business will receive a boost and the State’s economy will be strengthened, he opined. Dhami further claimed that the environment in Uttarakhand is conducive for industries as there is no discontent among the workers here. Initiatives should also be taken to boost investment in this sector in the state, he said.
Chief secretary SS Sandhu, additional chief secretaries Radha Raturi, Anand Bardhan, principal secretary RK Sudhanshu, L Fenai, secretaries R Meenakshi Sundaram, Sowjanya, BVRC Purushottam and others were also present in the meeting.
