Reduced to formality: Jairam Ramesh questions GST Council's role

Thu, 04 September 2025

09:38

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday questioned the role of the GST council, asking whether it has been reduced to "formality" by citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prior announcements regarding the tax reforms during his August 15 speech.

The Congress MP said that Union Finance Minister made major announcements following the GST council meeting; however, the decisions were proclaimed by PM Modi during his Independence Day speech. "The Union Finance Minister has made major announcements last evening after the meeting of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body.

However, even before the GST Council meeting, the Prime Minister had already proclaimed the substance of its decisions in his Independence Day speech of August 15th, 2025. Is the GST Council to be reduced to a formality?," Jairam Ramesh wrote on 'X'.

He stressed that the Congress party had been advocating reforms in the GST for a long time, which would reduce prices and tax cuts on a lot of large consumption items. He noted that the reforms would place a compliance burden on MSMEs and expand GST coverage. -- ANI

TOP STORIES

'Thiru Joseph Vijay enum naam': Vijay sworn in as TN CM

C Joseph Vijay, leader of the TVK, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, with the oath of office administered by Governor Rajendra Vishwanath in a ceremony held at Nehru Stadium. The event was attended by Congress leader...

CM Vijay promises to be the only power centre in TN

C Joseph Vijay was sworn in as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, marking the first non-DMK, non-AIADMK government in the state in 60 years. The ceremony was attended by Rahul Gandhi, and Vijay promised transparent governance and asserted...

Vijay allies flay 3rd slot for TN anthem after Vande, Jana Gana

The precedence given to 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jana Gana Mana' over the 'Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu' has triggered a controversy in Tamil Nadu, with political parties condemning the decision to relegate the Tamil invocation to third place at the...

New TN cabinet vows break from Dravidian-era governance

Following the swearing-in of C Joseph Vijay as Tamil Nadu's chief minister, the new cabinet has pledged a 'white paper' audit of all state departments and a 'zero-interference' policy in administration, signalling a significant shift in...

Cut fuel consumption, foreign travel to save forex: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for restraint in the use of petro products due to the West Asia crisis, emphasising the need to save foreign exchange and reduce the impact of war. He also highlighted India's progress in solar...