In a significant move to resolve long-standing tax disputes, the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Thursday sanctioned a bill granting amnesty to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) of the Central and state governments for their tax dues to the Maharashtra government.
₹8,000 Crore Revenue Expected from Amnesty Scheme
While presenting the Maharashtra Budget for FY 2025-26, State Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced an amnesty scheme aimed at clearing pending tax arrears. The state government anticipates generating ₹8,000 crore in tax revenue, with a major portion of unpaid taxes stemming from disputes with Central government departments and oil marketing companies.
Outstanding Dues and Extended Deadline
According to Ajit Pawar, various PSUs owe approximately ₹25,000 crore in unpaid taxes, interest, and levies to the state government. The newly approved legislation extends the deadline until December 2025, providing these enterprises with an opportunity to settle their dues and avoid further financial penalties.
The government has historically introduced similar amnesty initiatives, offering concessions to organizations that pay a specified portion of their outstanding liabilities. This move is expected to boost Maharashtra's revenue and resolve tax disputes efficiently.
Why Only PSUs? Private and Cooperative Firms Had Previous Schemes
During the legislative session, MLC Sachin Ahir questioned why the amnesty scheme was not extended to private and cooperative entities. Responding to the query, Ajit Pawar clarified that similar tax relief programs were previously introduced for private and cooperative organizations in 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2024.
This latest initiative reaffirms the Maharashtra government's commitment to addressing long-standing tax disputes while enhancing tax compliance and revenue collection.
Key Takeaways
- Amnesty bill approved for Central & state PSUs with pending tax dues
- Maharashtra govt expects ₹8,000 crore in revenue from the scheme
- ₹25,000 crore in outstanding dues to be settled before December 2025
- Past amnesty schemes provided relief to private and cooperative sectors
The amnesty scheme is set to play a crucial role in resolving tax disputes, easing financial burdens on PSUs, and strengthening Maharashtra's fiscal position.
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