Untaxed digital imports like video games cost India $4.9 bn in 4 years

According to a report by a Geneva-based think tank, the loss of revenue was from the import of just 49 products like movies, music, and video games

India lost almost $1.5 billion in 2020 and $4.9 billion in 2017-20 in revenue by not taxing electronic transmissions, a Geneva-based think tank South Centre said in a research paper. 

According to a report in The Economic Times, a research paper by South Centre, which is an intergovernmental organisation of developing nations, stated that India lost its revenue in imports from items like movies, music, and video games. The paper, which comes a week ahead of World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting, said that custom duties should "regulate conspicuous consumption through imports".

WTO members, in a temporary moratorium, have agreed