GST collection of states and union territories (UTs) increased to Rs 5.18 lakh crore in the full financial year 2018-19, up from Rs 2.91 lakh crore collected in nine months of 2017-18, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman in a report by PTI, said concerted efforts have been made to improve tax compliance.

Besides, Centre has released Rs 81,177 crore compensation to states during 2018-19, as against Rs 48,178 crore during July-March period of 2017-18 fiscal.

“The GST collection of the states/UTs has been showing steady improvement over the period of time. In addition, they have also assured growth of 14 per cent for a period of five years through the payment of compensation by the central government,” she said.

The total GST collection of the states/UTs for 2018-19 stood at Rs 5,18,447 crore against GST collection of Rs 2,91,100 crore in 2017-18, she added.