Mismatch in govt GST export refund numbers The latest figures from the government on claims filed by exporters for refunds under the goods and services tax (GST) grossly contradicts its earlier statement of facts in this regard. At the end of November 2017, the finance ministry had said the cumulative total of GST refund claims from shippers from July 1 rollout of the new tax till endOctober was Rs 65 billion. And, inamidJanuary letter to the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the ministry has stated the total of such refund claims from July 1 till December 31 was Rs 55 billion —of which Rs 19.23 billion had been paid. The communication has been reviewed by Business Standard. Asked to explain how a cumulative figure could melt in this manner, despite the addition of claims for November and December,asenior Finance Ministry official said, “At this juncture, it cannot be commented on.” Ajay Sahai, director general of FIEO, said: “There is no consistency in the fi