Govt to take strict action against businesses generating fake invoices: Thakur

The government Monday warned businesses against generating fake invoices to evade GST, saying tax officers will take strict action in such cases.

Speaking on the second anniversary of the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said the menace of fake invoice needs to be checked to ensure that honest taxpayers do not suffer and the government does not lose revenues.

"The government will take strict action against those involved in generating fake invoices. The menace of fake invoices needs to be checked as the actions of few unscrupulous traders make the majority of honest taxpayers uncompetitive and cause loss to government revenue. The government is "serious about curbing this menace", he said.

He also urged GST officers to be sensitive to the concerns of honest taxpayers saying their interaction with trader moulds public opinion about GST.

"Therefore, I urge all GST authorities to remember at all times that as public servants,