GST evasion of about Rs 23,000 crore by gaming companies between April 2019 and November 2022 is being investigated by the tax officers, minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Monday.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister said the Enforcement Directorate has attached proceeds of crime of more than Rs 1,000 crore in several cases related to cyber and crypto assets frauds wherein online gaming has been used for siphoning the proceeds.

About the evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST), Chaudhary said Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) formations have initiated investigations against some gaming companies (including online gaming firms) located in India as well as abroad.

“The estimated evasion of GST by these companies works out to Rs 22,936 crore, relating to the period April 2019 to Nov. 2022,” he said.

Besides, the Enforcement Directorate is investigating several cases related to cyber and crypto assets frauds wherein online gaming has been used to siphon the proceeds.

FM on GST claims

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said GST claims of state governments will be cleared once she gets relevant papers along with a certificate from their respective accountant-generals.

She also said in the Lok Sabha that the central government is committed to pay all Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation to states and has been doing so continuously for the last five years.

The state accountant-general has to provide a certificate that the particular state has to get this much of compensation, the finance minister said.

“If there is a delay in the AG certified claim from states, obviously that (GST compensation) is pending. So, when the AG certificate along with the state’s claim comes, at that moment the money will also get released,” she said during the Question Hour.