New Delhi: The government on Friday deferred the release of April GST revenue collection data due to the ongoing lockdown, sources said. The government had last month extended the deadline to file GST returns for March to May 5, from April 20.

As per convention, the government releases GST revenue collection number on the basis of cash collection in a particular month. However, with the situation arising out of COVID-19, the government has decided to wait till the extended deadline for filing returns before release of the collection figure.

Sources said due to the “unprecedented situation” arising out of the coronavirus outbreak, it has been decided to defer the April GST collection data release. No date has yet been decided to release this data, they said.

“The government will wait till May 5 before announcing the collections,” a source said.

For business activity in a particular month, GST return has to be filed in a staggered manner by the 20th of next month. Hence for transactions in March, GST return had to be filed by April 20, which was extended till May 5.

According to another source, low collection figure till now could have been the reason for deferment of GST data release on Friday. The nationwide lockdown to contain spread of COVID-19 disease was imposed on March 25.

NEW DELHI: Amid controversies over pricing and accuracy, the Centre plans fresh review of antibody testing kits for Covid-19. Delivery of these kits, from companies all across the world, has been put on hold. ET gathers that only after completing the review, the Centre will decide on whether or not to accept pending deliveries. The same will be conveyed to states too.

Besides the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the issue of testing kits is being closely looked at by the cabinet secretary and empowered groups, which look at medical supplies, testing and procurement. The empowered groups are also clear that the focus has to be on RNA-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid testing may even be phased out, if necessary.

India has ordered about 7 lakh rapid testing kits from various sources, including firms in China and Korea. All the new kits on their way to India have now been put on hold and most of those imported are in the process of being returned, said officials.

Several concerns over temperature sensitivity of these kits have also been red-flagged by some states. The ICMR is also looking at issues of accuracy and reliability of these kits.

“Rapid testing is an indicative test to assess community response to Covid-19. The golden standard is the RTCPR. However, there is much confusion around the purpose and utility of these kits. We had asked for pre-testing of each lot before it is put to use. In such tests, several states reported inaccuracies. Keeping all this in mind, it has been decided not to accept any new lot. We would like to assess the efficacy of this testing method once again before allowing such kits. The same will be conveyed clearly to states as well,” a senior official told ET.

The antibody testing kits are being imported in a bid to ramp up testing in the country. The first lot came from China last week. However, testing was put on hold for two days after some states complained of inaccuracies.

These kits also ran into litigation at the Delhi High Court, indicating profiteering and overpricing. Sources in the government, however, maintained that there is a global race to procure all Covid-19 related equipment, which is driving up prices as well.

“Rapid testing is an indicative test to assess community response to Covid-19. The golden standard is the RTCPR. However, there is much confusion around the purpose and utility of these kits. We had asked for pre-testing of each lot before it is put to use. In such tests, several states reported inaccuracies. Keeping all this in mind, it has been decided not to accept any new lot. We would like to assess the efficacy of this testing method once again before allowing such kits. The same will be conveyed clearly to states as well,” a senior official told ET.

The antibody testing kits are being imported in a bid to ramp up testing in the country. The first lot came from China last week. However, testing was put on hold for two days after some states complained of inaccuracies. These kits also ran into litigation at the Delhi High Court, indicating profiteering and overpricing. Sources in the government, however, maintained that there is a global race to procure all Covid-19 related equipment, which is driving up prices as well.