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, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus continues to be a big unknown, in terms of the economic impact. Depending upon how fast the third wave spreads and how severe the restrictions upon businesses are, GST collections in February and March 2022 could be…
