UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 27th March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs Parliamentary panel flags issues faced by MSMEs, exporters under GST

Parliamentary panel flags issues faced by MSMEs, exporters under GST

Why in News?

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has recommended simplified GST compliance for MSMEs and exporters, fast-track refund processing, AI-driven revenue projections, and enhanced GST portal functionality to address administrative challenges.

Also Read: Govt notifies revisions to investment, turnover criteria for MSMEs

Background

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has highlighted various challenges faced by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
In its report presented to Parliament, the Committee urged the Ministry of Finance to introduce a simplified compliance framework for smaller businesses.

Key Recommendations by the Committee

Simplified Compliance Framework for MSMEs

The PAC has emphasized the need to reduce the compliance burden on MSMEs by:

- Fast-tracking return filing and refund processing
- Reducing the frequency of return filings
- Implementing a more straightforward online reporting process

Fast-Track Refund Processing for Exporters

The Committee has underlined the importance of ensuring that Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims related to exports are processed efficiently. It has recommended the creation of a dedicated refund processing system with:

- Prioritization of ITC claims for exports
- Strict timelines for refund disbursal
- Regular updates to taxpayers on refund status

AI-Based Data Analytics for Revenue Projections

The report notes a decline in the share of indirect taxes in total revenue receipts, from 38.76% in FY18 to 36.92% in FY20. The Ministry of Finance attributed this decline to macroeconomic factors, including:

- Fluctuations in import volumes
- Global economic conditions
- Tax policy changes under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

The Committee, however, criticized the Ministry for not formulating a comprehensive strategy to mitigate these influences. It recommended the use of AI tools and data analytics for:

- More accurate revenue projections
- Timely assessment of macroeconomic impacts on tax collection
- Developing a proactive tax revenue growth strategy

Addressing Issues Related to Multiple Registrations

Businesses operating across multiple states currently face administrative burdens due to multiple GST registrations. The Committee noted that the existing procedural validations are inadequate, leading to:

- Instances of non-compliance
- Complexity in tax administration

To resolve this, the Committee suggested:

- Enhancing GST portal functionalities to allow businesses to easily manage multiple registrations
- Creating a Unique Business ID to track all registrations of a business entity across states
- Conducting regular consultations with industry stakeholders to address challenges

Conclusion

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee has urged the Ministry of Finance to adopt a business-friendly GST regime, ensuring ease of compliance for MSMEs and exporters.
It stressed the need for technology-driven solutions, including AI-based revenue forecasting and simplified tax administration, to improve the overall effectiveness of the GST framework in India.