Latest news with #GroupofMinisters
India Today
5 days ago
- Business
- India Today
GST Council may remove 12% slab, shift items to 5% and 18%: Report
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which includes the Union Finance Minister and Finance Ministers from all states, may decide on the elimination of the 12% tax slab, reported Hindustan move is part of a broader strategy to simplify the GST rate structure, reducing the existing four slabs to three. The report indicated that the proposal has garnered backing from officials and experts involved with the Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate changes, achieving a "near consensus."advertisementA source quoted in the report said, 'This could be the most plausible way to undertake a revenue neutral tax rate rationalisation exercise. However, the GST Council has to take a final call.'Impact on goods and services Currently, the 12% tax slab encompasses a variety of goods, including condensed milk, caviar, 20-litre drinking water bottles, walkie-talkies, and contact items such as sausages, frozen vegetables, pasta, and various household goods also fall under this category. Services taxed at 12% comprise specific construction projects, hotel accommodations priced up to 7,500 per day, and non-economy air travel. The shift of these goods and services to either the 5% or 18% tax brackets is expected to streamline tax filings and classifications, enhancing compliance GST Council meetingThe GST Council's forthcoming meeting, anticipated to occur in June or July, is likely to focus on rationalising rates and alleviating compliance council's last meeting was held in December Mani, Partner at BDO India, highlighted the importance of this meeting, amd said, 'One of the key expectations from the 56th meeting of the GST Council is the decision on rate rationalisation on various goods and services.'The Group of Ministers on rate changes was established on 24th September 2021, following a GST Council meeting in Lucknow. Initially led by Basavaraj S Bommai, the group is currently chaired by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat proposal to remove the 12% slab has largely been accepted by Union and state officials, tax experts, and GoM members. This initiative is seen as a step towards achieving a more straightforward and effective GST Watch
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
TG unveils action plan to mobilise more funds
Hyderabad: With an aim to tide over the fiscal crisis, the state government rolled out an action plan to generate more revenues. Identification of costly lands in the districts, enhancement of excise income, expediting the issuing of construction permits in HMDA limits and sand sales from tribal areas were part of the immediate action plan announced on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Resource Mobilization, attended by Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Duddilla Sridhar Babu, and Jupally Krishna Rao. The Deputy CM directed the officials to identify and rectify any revenue leakages in the Excise department to enhance income. Although good progress has been seen in the sale of apartments and flats, the expected momentum is lacking in the sale of agricultural lands and open plots. The Group of Ministers instructed the officials to analyze the situation and take appropriate action. The Group of Ministers instructed the revenue officials to identify valuable government lands in district centers and take immediate steps to protect them. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) was directed to speed up issuing construction permits. Officials briefed the committee that the delay in granting permissions could be the main reason for declining revenue generated from property registration in the HMDA limits. The ministers asked the officials to pay more focus on promoting the realty industry in the fast-growing HMDA limits. Regarding the Transport department, Bhatti directed that the newly introduced Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system should be widely implemented across various departments to conduct large-scale inspections. The Sub-Committee praised the Commercial Taxes department for achieving 6 per cent growth in the tax revenues. The department set a revenue target of Rs 600 crore in March and about Rs 500 crore was realized. The ministers emphasized the need for a well-structured plan, moving forward and advised officials accordingly. The Sub-Committee further instructed the Tribal Welfare department to ensure that sand sales in tribal areas should be conducted through tribal societies, identifying genuine beneficiaries and enrolling them as members. They stressed that the department must take this seriously and implement it carefully to benefit real tribals.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy urges Centre to form GoM for caste census; highlights Telangana as role model
HYDERABAD: Following the Union government's decision to conduct a caste census across the country, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged the Centre to constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) and an expert committee. He proposed that the committee consult with state governments, political parties and stakeholders to decide on the roadmap for the census. He also called on the Centre to collect information from states that have already conducted caste census and to use that data to formulate a comprehensive framework. 'The state government is ready to cooperate with the Centre and share our experience and data,' he said adding, 'Telangana has become a role model for the rest of the country in this regard.' Speaking to reporters at his residence on Thursday, Revanth pressed the prime minister to clarify when the Centre would initiate and complete the caste census process. He emphasised the need for consultation with the state governments and political parties over potential challenges. He suggested that the entire process be completed within a year. Revanth underlined that once the Union government conducts the caste census, the resulting data will become standardised and authenticated. He said: 'In the absence of national data, state data will be a standard. But if the Centre comes forward with new data, it will take precedence,' he stated. The chief minister recalled that during the UPA regime, efforts were made to conduct a nationwide caste census and a report was prepared. However, in the past 11 years, the BJP-led Union government had not taken any steps in that direction.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Revanth to Centre: Form GoM, expert panel for caste census
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy has urged the Centre to constitute a Group of Ministers (GoM) and an experts committee for caste census across the country. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to set a clear timeframe to complete the exercise, preferably within a year. Welcoming the Centre's decision to include caste data in the next census, Revanth thanked the PM and emphasised that the Telangana govt was ready to cooperate, offering insights from its own caste survey without seeking political mileage. He said Telangana has become a role model in conducting such surveys. "The GoM and experts committee should be constituted separately to visit various states and hold consultations with political parties, stakeholders, and civil society on the caste census," Revanth said at a press conference at his Jubilee Hills residence on Thursday. He explained that Telangana's GoM and experts committee had visited every district, interacted with stakeholders, and collected representations from the public during its caste survey. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You - See Tips Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Highlighting regional variations in caste classification, the CM said the experts committee must consider state-wise differences. "For instance, the Boya community is classified as OBC in Telangana but as ST in Karnataka. Similarly, Lambadas are tribals in Telangana but considered OBC in Maharashtra. There needs to be a consensus on these differences," he said. When asked if the Centre's move was politically motivated, particularly in light of the Bihar elections, Revanth refrained from making direct allegations. "I do not want to get into political accusations, especially when the move benefits people. But it's clear that the BJP govt was compelled to act," he said. He credited Rahul Gandhi for initiating the talk around caste census, asserting that the Congress leader promised a caste survey in Telangana and fulfilled the promise. "The credit goes to Rahul Gandhi," he added. The CM said the state govt has already submitted its report to the Centre. "If needed, an official delegation is ready to go to Delhi to make a Power-Point presentation," he said. On whether the Centre's caste census data would override Telangana's findings, Revanth clarified, "Central data prevails. However, Telangana's survey was carried out systematically and scientifically, with a GoM and experts committee guiding the process." He detailed the scale of the Telangana survey stating that 57 questions, spanning eight pages, were asked, with 95,000 enumerators covering every household in the state within 90 days. The process was supervised by top govt officials and the state-level GoM. "Telangana has shown the way. This is a historic exercise pending for nearly 100 years," the CM claimed. Commenting on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Revanth claimed that the Congress had warned the public about the BJP's alleged intent to remove reservations and alter the Constitution. "The people didn't give the BJP a clear majority. With only 240 seats, their plans have been stalled," he said. He also questioned why BJP-ruled states undertook caste surveys if the BJP opposed them. "The BJP has been in power for 11 years and governs 16–17 states. Why were caste surveys conducted only recently," he wondered. Revanth said the BJP, despite its initial opposition, had been forced to support caste census due to Congress's pressure. He recalled the Congress-led protest at Jantar Mantar, where leaders from most parties participated, except the NDA allies. Regarding the stalling of 'Operation Kagar' in Chhattisgarh, the CM said: "There is no place for violence in a civilised society. The party believes in dialogue with Maoists, and a policy decision will be taken soon."
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
GoM discusses challenges faced by India's DISCOMs in Andhra
VIJAYAWADA: Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik on Tuesday chaired the fourth Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting on power sector reforms in Vijayawada on Tuesday. The meeting brought together energy ministers and senior officials from six States to deliberate on coordinated policy and financial measures to address challenges facing India's power distribution companies (DISCOMs). The session focused on cost-reflective tariffs, streamlining net metering, mandatory cost adjustments for fuel and power purchases, and tariff reforms linked to inflation indices. Naik emphasised the need to strengthen the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) and advocated regulatory clarity to ensure sectoral stability and consumer fairness. He proposed simplifying and standardising tariff orders, streamlining net metering for rooftop solar systems, and linking annual tariff revisions to inflation indices like the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to foster transparency and predictability for utilities and consumers. Financial restructuring took centre stage, with calls to lower interest rates offered by REC and PFC, eliminate prepayment penalties, and expedite implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
