By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 1, 2021: Odisha recorded State Goods and Service Tax (SGST) collection of Rs 954.62 crore in March 2021, which is the highest ever collection in a month since implementation of GST from July 1st, 2017. The previous highest state GST collection in a single month was Rs 927.60 crore recorded during April 2019.

With highest ever SGST collection in March, the state government has recorded 21.55% growth compared to corresponding period of previous fiscal as total SGST collection in March, 2020 was estimated at Rs 785.35 crore, said an official source in the state finance department.

The record collection of SGST during March is despite below par performance in some of the sectors due to adverse impact of Covid-19. Moreover, during the first quarter of 2020-21, there was decline of Rs. 761.19 crore in SGST collection compared to first quarter of 2019-20 financial year,” said a senior official.

Total SGST collection during 2020-21 is estimated at Rs 8292.15 crore against collection of Rs 8722 crore during 2019-20. As far as gross GST collection (combining SGST, central GST, integrated GST and cess) is concerned, Odisha recorded a growth of 25% during March with collection of Rs 3285.29 crore against Rs 2641.95 crore collected during March, 2020.

State’s collection from gross GST during the entire 2020-21 financial year is estimated at Rs 29852 crore compared to Rs 29,687 crore collected during 2019-20 financial year. “The marginal growth in GST collection during 2020-21 financial year is despite the massive set back due to Covid-19 pandemic and a negative growth during the first five month (April-August, 2020),” said the official.

Despite low collection from VAT (from petroleum products and liquor) in April-June period of the 2020-21 financial year due to Covid-19 impact, the state has also witnessed 3.46% growth in VAT collection during the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Official figures said state has earned Rs 7715.84 crore from VAT during 2020-21 financial year compared to Rs 7457.59 crore collected during 2019-20.