Some time back, Yogi Adityanat, while pointing a finger at Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yad, a v had openly said that you took goonda tax from them
Now, in a landmark directive that marks a decisive shift in Uttar Pradesh’s governance approach, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has issued an unambiguous warning to the State Tax Department — no unnecessary raids, inspections, or harassment of traders during Dhanteras and Diwali.
The Chief Minister, known for his firm administrative style, made it clear that this festive season should not become a time of fear for business owners, but rather a period of trust and economic vibrancy.
“Traders and entrepreneurs must not be troubled when business activity is at its peak,” Adityanath said during a high-level review meeting of the State Tax Department’s revenue performance.
For decades, traders across Uttar Pradesh have quietly endured the seasonal specter of “festival-time inspections” — raids, summons, and coercive visits by field officers seeking informal gains under the pretext of compliance.
This year, however, the message from the top was starkly different: no harassment, only honest administration.
The Chief Minister emphasized that field postings must now be based solely on merit and performance, not proximity or influence. Officers with proven integrity and strong track records in achieving targets will be entrusted with key responsibilities.
He also stressed greater transparency and accountability across all zones.
During the meeting, Adityanath reviewed the performance of all state zones — including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Kanpur, Etawah, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, Moradabad, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Saharanpur.
Officials reported that as of September in FY 2025–26, the department had collected Rs 55,000 crore — Rs 40,000 crore from GST and Rs 15,000 crore from VAT and other sources. The Chief Minister took note of revenue gaps but cautioned officers against using “pressure tactics” to fill them.
Reviewing investigations into fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims — amounting to Rs 873.48 crore across 104 firms — Adityanath said strict action must continue against tax evaders, but not at the cost of honest taxpayers. Enforcement, he said, must be balanced with empathy and fairness.
Some zones, such as Bareilly, Saharanpur, and Meerut, showed strong collection rates above 60%, while others lagged below 50%. Adityanath directed underperforming zones to explain their shortfalls and implement immediate corrective measures.
He also instructed senior officers to actively engage with the trading community, conduct market mapping, and strengthen GST registration drives. The broader message was unmistakable — the government seeks to build a culture of compliance through trust, not intimidation.
Calling transparency, accountability, and integrity the “cornerstones of good governance,” the Chief Minister reaffirmed his commitment to a taxpayer-friendly, technology-driven revenue system.
For the first time in Uttar Pradesh’s administrative history, a Chief Minister has spoken so directly — and so firmly — against the culture of bureaucratic exploitation that shadows festive seasons.
With this move, Yogi Adityanath has sought to redefine the relationship between the state and its business community: from one of suspicion to one of partnership.
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