GST mop-up signals economic recovery despite worry over Omicron

Collections grow 13% in December quarter to Rs 1.3 trillion - the best since July 2017

The goods and service tax (GST) numbers for December cap an extraordinary quarter in terms of receipts from the nationwide tax for the Centre and states. At an average monthly gross collection of Rs 1.3 trillion, the October-December quarter of 2021-22 (FY22) was the best for the Centre and states since GST was introduced (July 1, 2017), showing just how strong economic recovery has been.

Barring May and June, which were impacted by lower economic activity due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, the first nine months of FY22 have seen encouraging GST receipts at above Rs 1 trillion.

However,