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Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- Indian Express
States raise revenue loss concerns: GoM backs Centre's plan for GST rate rationalisation
The Group of Ministers on Rate Rationalisation gave its in-principle support Thursday to the Centre's proposal to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST) design, even as member states raised concerns about potential revenue loss on account of the rate rationalisation. Six days ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, announced the next big phase of reforms under the GST regime by Diwali, a gift for the common man, small entrepreneurs and MSMEs, in terms of reduced tax burden. The Centre has suggested replacing multiple slabs – 5 per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent – with a broad two-slab structure – 5 per cent and 18 per cent – in addition to a 40 per cent special rate for sin and demerit goods. States said they do not oppose the 'pro-people' proposal, but it may result in revenue losses that will ultimately leave them with less resources to spend on common people in their regions. While Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister and GoM convenor Samrat Choudhary spelt out the panel's support for the GST overhaul proposal, he said observations made by states will be referred to the GST Council. Detailed discussions on items will be taken up in the Council, he said. 'We have deliberated upon the Centre's proposal to remove the two GST slabs, we have given our support and recommendations. Now, the GST Council will decide. All states gave their views, there were some observations by some states. Those will be referred to the GST Council,' Choudhary said. The differing views and observations of states on revenue loss and concerns over profiteering by manufacturers and companies will be part of the note that the GoM will send to the Council along with the Centre's proposal. Some states were also of the view that the work done by the GoM over the last few years will now essentially be wasted as they would be simply handing over the Centre's proposal to the GST Council. 'We have neither approved nor rejected it. Centre cannot give its proposal directly to the Council, so we will be just handing over the Centre's proposal to the Council,' a top state government official told The Indian Express. States are learnt to have sent their suggestions for the GoM's note on a mechanism to compensate states that will address their revenue loss concerns. States are anticipating annual revenue loss of Rs 6,000-10,000 crore, the official said. West Bengal's Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya echoed a similar view and said they are 'okay with the pro-people proposal' but it is not an agreement. The Centre's proposal has not outlined the figure for revenue loss on account of the GST rate rationalisation and the proposal should not move ahead without detailing a mechanism for compensating states for revenue loss. 'It's not an agreement in that way. If it's there, it is okay. If it is pro-people, then it's okay. But it has to be discussed in the Council's meeting also. There is no benefit in discussing it item-by-item in the GoM meeting. It will be discussed item-by-item in the (GST) Council meeting. While presenting a report to the GST Council, they will give a note of what we have said,' she said. Bhattacharya said no state had any issue in accepting the pro-people GST overhaul proposal. 'All states are pro-people. There is no doubt about it. It's nothing to talk about in politics. They are pro-people, let us take it for granted. But when the states lose their revenue, that also ultimately goes back to common people. That has to be looked into. That is what we have said,' she said. 'Because to give relief to common people should not mean that there isn't much left to spend on them after that, we have to think about that. That's why we have said that while you give the presentation, you must quantify it (revenue loss),' she said. She also said that ministers from BJP-ruled states have concurred with the suggestions. 'But we have said we are there, if it benefits people, we are okay. On the one hand it reaches people and on the other hand see what is the loss we (states) are facing. Ultimately if a state suffers any loss, that ultimately boils down to the suffering of the common man,' she said. Uttar Pradesh's Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the Centre's proposal was welcomed by all member states saying it is in the interest of the common man. 'States were asking that they should be compensated for revenue loss. The revenue loss will be calculated. Ultra luxury goods and sin goods will attract 40 per cent,' he said. Revenue loss concerns of states stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items the existing 28 per cent slab. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. States revenue loss concerns stem from the plan to prune the list of items in the 12 per cent slab and shift them to 5 per cent. There is also a concern that most items in the existing 28 per cent slab will shift to 18 per cent slab except sin and demerit goods. The Centre plans to introduce a special rate of 40 per cent, which will apply only to 5-7 sin, demerit and luxury items. Some states have suggested amending the GST laws to allow for an additional levy going beyond the current cap of 40 per cent (20 per cent Central GST plus 20 per cent State GST). Some of the items right now attract GST of 60-70 per cent, Bhattacharya said, adding that the law should be amended to ensure that the current tax incidence, especially on sin goods, remains at the current level.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Speaker Birla shares figures to say how Lok Sabha lost several hours in monsoon session ‘due to planned disruptions'
The Lok Sabha lost 83 potential work hours in the monsoon session due to forced adjournments, according to its secretariat. This meant the month-long session that started on July 21 could have 21 sittings with only 37 hours of effective business. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla conducts the proceedings of the house during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi.(Sansad TV ) Both Houses were adjourned sine dine on Thursday. Explaining the arithmatic, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that all parties had decided at the beginning of the session that discussions would last 120 hours. 'The Business Advisory Committee also agreed to this; but due to continuous deadlock and planned disruptions, the House could barely work for 37 hours in this session,' Om Birla said. Also Read | Chaos in Parliament as Amit Shah tables bills in LS on removal of jailed PM, CMs He shared more figures. Of the 419 starred questions listed on the agenda of the session, only 55 questions could be taken up for oral answers due to 'planned disruptions'. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh also expressed his displeasure over the functioning of the House and said that only 38.88 per cent work could be accomplished in the Upper House in this session, according to a Times of India report. Also Read | Rijiju slams Opposition over Parliament disruptions, says 'won't stop Session agendas' "It is unfortunate that despite efforts to conduct the proceedings of Rajya Sabha smoothly, disruptions have occurred. In the session, only 38.88% of the work, equivalent to just over 41 hours, could be accomplished," Harivansh said. "Members had the opportunity to ask 285 questions, but only 14 questions could be raised; 14 bills were passed or returned to the Lok Sabha," he added. Fruitful for country, harmful for Oppn: Kiren Rijiju Earlier in the day, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the session was successful and fruitful for the country and the government, but unsuccessful and harmful for the Opposition. "The government has to discharge its duties to people in the national interest," he said, according to PTI. The opposition cannot prevent the government from working with its protests, he added. A united opposition protesting against and demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls in Bihar forced repeated adjournments in Parliament throughout the session.
United News of India
23 minutes ago
- United News of India
RS adjourns sine die after passing Online Gaming Bill amid oppn protests
Parliament New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Rajya Sabha today adjourned sine die following passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, amid protests by opposition leaders. Despite the uproar, the Bill was cleared through voice vote. The Lok Sabha had passed the legislation a day earlier. Deputy Chairman Harivansh announced the approval of the Bill in the Upper House before adjourning proceedings for a while. Piloted by Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Bill seeks to ban all forms of online money games while promoting eSports and online social gaming. On the final day of the Monsoon Session, the Rajya Sabha rejected amendments proposed by opposition members and approved the legislation. The Online Gaming Regulation Bill prohibits advertisements related to online money games and bars banks and financial institutions from facilitating or transferring funds for such activities. Online money games, defined as those played by depositing money with the expectation of winning monetary or other rewards, will be covered under the proposed ban. UNI AJ RB RS adjourns sine die after passing Online Gaming Bill amid oppn protests 21 Aug 2025 | 3:08 PM New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Rajya Sabha today adjourned sine die following passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, amid protests by opposition leaders. see more.. Minister says MSMEs are on way to digital transformation 21 Aug 2025 | 2:12 PM New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje today told the Lok Sabha that the government has taken various steps to digitally empower MSMEs, including SC/ST entrepreneurs. see more.. Lok Sabha adjourned amid Opposition uproar, to reconvene at 12 noon 21 Aug 2025 | 1:54 PM New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) Even on the last day of the Monsoon Session, the logjam in Parliament continued. As a result the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 noon today, just minutes after it convened, following loud protest by Opposition members. see more.. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm amid Opposition protest over rejection of Rule 267 notices 21 Aug 2025 | 1:22 PM New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2pm today within minutes of convening, following protests by Opposition members over the rejection of multiple adjournment notices submitted under Rule 267. see more.. LS adjourned sine die amid disruptions; Speaker raises concern over decline in parliamentary conduct 21 Aug 2025 | 1:22 PM New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) The Fifth Session of the 18th Lok Sabha was today adjourned sine die, wrapping up a tumultuous stretch marked by intensive disruptions than deliberations. see more..
