Surat : GST Department Targets Street Food Vendors in the ‘Gastronomic Capital’

Surat : Surat, known as the ‘gastronomic capital’ of Gujarat, has earned its reputation for delectable street food. The old saying, ‘Surat Nu Jaman, Ane Kashi Nu Maran’ (eat in Surat, and die in Kashi), reflects the city’s culinary excellence. However, street vendors selling popular dishes like pav-bhaji, vada pav, Surti Locho, aloo puri, khawsa, and masala dhosa have recently come under the radar of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) department.

In an unprecedented move, the GST department has initiated the process of compiling a comprehensive list of street vendors offering these mouthwatering treats on the streets. The reason behind this sudden scrutiny is that these vendors have been conducting substantial transactions through UPI payment gateways without adhering to GST compliance.

Sources indicate that areas like Varachha, Gaurav Path, Chowk Bazar, Bhagal, Zampa Bazaar, Parle Point, Vesu, Athwalines, Udhana, Ring Road, and more are bustling with hundreds of street vendors dishing out irresistible culinary delights to the residents. These vendors conduct their business either in cash or accept UPI payments from their customers. Over the past couple of years, UPI payments have gained prominence, overshadowing traditional cash transactions at these roadside eateries. However, the GST department was taken aback when they delved into the daily transactions of Surat’s street food vendors.

Most of the city’s main roads are lined with roadside eateries offering a wide variety of food items to the people. It is estimated that these street vendors generate a staggering turnover of over Rs 10 lakh per day.

Recently, the GST department conducted a search operation in the historic Chauta Bazaar, where they uncovered Rs 1.5 crore worth of benami stock at a beauty and cosmetics shop. The annual turnover of these beauty shop owners is estimated to be around Rs 14 crore per annum.

The majority of cutlery, cosmetic and beauty shops, and roadside eateries in Surat primarily accept cash payments, but many have adopted multiple UPI scanners to divert money into different bank accounts.