Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Saturday, conducted a comprehensive review of the functioning of the State Tax Department through video conferencing with senior officials from the administration and zonal levels. During the meeting, the Chief Minister stressed the need for transparency, technological efficiency, and strong enforcement in tax collection across the state.
CM Yogi instructed officers to launch an aggressive campaign against shell companies and fraudulently registered firms, directing strict action in all such cases. “Tax evasion undermines the facilities meant for genuine businesspersons. It is an inexcusable offense that must be tackled with full force,” he stated.
He described tax evasion as a “national crime” that negatively impacts public welfare schemes and infrastructure development. “Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a consumer-based tax system. It is natural for areas with larger populations to contribute more in taxes. Hence, low-performing zones must develop targeted strategies to improve compliance,” he said.
Strict Monitoring of Newly Registered Firms
CM Yogi further directed that all newly registered firms undergo mandatory on-ground inspections. He instructed officials to conduct deep departmental investigations into firms registered under the State GST (SGST). In cases where irregularities are found, firm registrations must be canceled and FIRs lodged immediately.
He also emphasized the need to share data on suspicious firms registered under the Central GST (CGST) regime with the central government for immediate de-registration.
Revenue Performance and Strategic Review
Officials reported to the CM that for the financial year 2025–26, against the target of ₹1,75,725 crore, a total of ₹18,161.59 crore in GST and VAT collections had been achieved during April–May 2025. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts and asked departments to accelerate the drive to meet collection targets.
Among the top-performing zones — achieving 60% or more of their targets — were Lucknow, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Agra, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Jhansi, and Saharanpur. CM Yogi lauded these zones for their effective functioning.
However, he expressed concern over zones with less than 50% tax collection, including Varanasi-I, Prayagraj, Kanpur-II, Etawah, Aligarh, and Moradabad. He ordered an immediate and thorough review of these zones and called for special reports to be prepared and submitted to the state headquarters. These reports, he added, would be analyzed in detail by field experts and senior officials to recommend remedial measures.
Building Trust Through Dialogue
Highlighting the importance of communication, the CM instructed senior tax officers — including Additional Commissioners, Joint Commissioners, and Deputy Commissioners — in underperforming zones to engage directly with traders. “The goal is to build trust, cooperation, and a culture of voluntary compliance among the taxpayer community,” he said.
Revenue: The Foundation of Development
“Revenue is not merely a statistic; it forms the backbone of the state’s development,” CM Yogi stated firmly. He urged every official to fulfill their responsibilities with a sense of accountability and sensitivity.
The virtual review meeting was attended by top officials from the State Tax Department, zonal commissioners, finance department officers, and representatives from key economic regions across Uttar Pradesh.
The directives are expected to streamline tax governance and contribute significantly to the state’s fiscal health, reinforcing the Yogi government’s commitment to transparency and efficient administration.
