DW BUREAU / chandigarh The gross GST revenue collection for Punjab stands at Rs 1,103.31 crore during the month of July, 2020 against Rs 1,215.99 crore for the corresponding period of last year thereby registering a decline of 9.26 per cent. Notably, the taxpayers had been provided relief in the furnishing of returns for the months of February, March and April, 2020 due to COVID-19. Further, taxpayers with turnover less than Rs. 5 crore in the previous year continue to enjoy relaxation in furnishing of returns till September, 2020. According to a spokesperson of Punjab Taxation Commissioner's Office, the gross GST revenue collection for Punjab for the period April to July, 2020 stands at Rs 2643.28 crore in comparison to Rs 4252.03 crore for the similar period of last year. Pointing out further, the spokesperson said that the protected revenue for the month of July, 2020 is Rs. 2403 crore against which the State has collected and received Rs 1103.31 crore that corresponds to approximately 46 per cent of the protected revenue. Thus, for the month of July 2020 the amount of compensation due is Rs 1,299.69 crore. The state has received Rs 1,077.35 crore as compensation for the month of March, 2020 during the month of July 2020. Further, the amount of compensation due for the period April to June, 2020 is Rs 5,669 crore which is still awaited. In addition to GST, Punjab also collects tax revenue from VAT and CST regime. Major contributors to VAT and CST collection are alcohol for human consumption and five petroleum products which are outside the ambit of GST. For the month of July, 2020 the total VAT and CST collection stands at Rs 482.37 Cr whereas it was Rs 519.82 cr for the month of July, 2019 thereby indicating a diminishing of 7.2 per cent. The VAT and CST revenue collection for Punjab for the period April to July, 2020 is Rs 1492.65 cr in comparison to Rs 2002.21 crore for the similar period last year, thereby showing a decline of 25.44 per cent. The national gross GST revenue collection during the month of July, 2020 is Rs 87,422 Cr of which CGST is Rs 16,147 crore, SGST is Rs 21,418 crore, IGST is Rs 42,592 cr (including Rs 20,324 cr collected on import of goods) and cess is Rs. 7,265 cr (including Rs 807 Cr collected on import of goods) whereas the national gross GST revenue collection during July, 2019 stood at Rs 1,02,083 Cr of which CGST was Rs 17,912 Cr, SGST was Rs 25,008 cr, IGST Rs 50,612 cr including Rs 24,246 cr collected on import of goods. (editor@dailyworld.in)