GOOD MOP-UP
   Date :02-Feb-2021

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THE record Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections in January can be seen as harbingers of economic spurt in the next quarter. It means the economy is slowly but steadily picking the right path, adding to the mop-up in a pronounced way in the near future. The revenues for January touched an all-time high of about Rs 1.20 lakh crore which is a rise of 8.1 per cent, the highest since the July 2017 rollout of the GST regime. After the slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, the good mop-up now lends a clarity on the economic situation in the country. The record collections are result of pick-up in the economic activity across various sectors, including manufacturing and transport, as well as stringent compliance measures put in by the Government. After the flagging of leaks in the GST collections through fake invoices by some traders, the Finance Ministry has done well to introduce technological system of e-voicing to catch the evaders. The series of big catches across India is now paying dividends as reflected in the surge in the GST revenues. Widening the net till the lowest level is the way ahead to bring in more compliance.
 
RANJI SHELVED
 
A TINGE of sadness has engulfed domestic teams in India after the BCCI’s hard decision to cancel the iconic Ranji Trophy this season. For the first time in 87 years, Ranji Trophy will not be a part of the domestic cricket calender that has been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic. Logistics and length of the tournament have gone against the holding of Ranji Trophy, which is understandable. Yet, it hurts to see the premier tournament not getting its due, even in a shorter or new format. Given the expanse of participating teams it would have been difficult to have full-fledged Ranji Trophy tournament. However, a middle way out could have been hammered to give the domestic players their rightful platform to stake claim for the national team. The Ranji Trophy is a wonderful melting pot for emerging cricketers who invest their emotions to achieve glory and recognition. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are great products of the domestic Ranji rigours. Many such dreams were waiting to become a reality this season till the COVID-19 pandemic put paid to their hopes. What the World War could not do has been made possible by a tiny virus. It hurts.