In a significant development, Uttar Pradesh's Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Suresh Khanna, has been appointed as the convenor for the Group of Ministers (GoM) established by the GST Council to undertake a crucial task—revising tax rates on goods and services. This move comes as part of the GST Council's ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving economic conditions and ensure the welfare of the public.
The decision to entrust Suresh Khanna with this pivotal role was made in recognition of his substantial contributions during GST council meetings and interactions with various groups of ministers, as stated in the official Council release.
Previously, the GoM was headed by former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai. The GST Council's role in revising tax rates periodically is critical in maintaining the public's economic interests, and these GoMs are formed to assist in this process.
The newly reconstituted GoM, led by Suresh Khanna, comprises several esteemed members from different states. These members include Goa's Transport Minister Mavin Godinho, Bihar's Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Rajasthan's Urban Development Minister Shanti Kumar Dhariwal, West Bengal's Finance Minister Chandrama Bhattacharya, Karnataka's Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, and Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal.
The 52nd meeting of the GST Council, which took place on October 7, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, was instrumental in making this decision.
Additionally, the 52nd Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting resulted in an important change. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the maximum age limits for the President and members of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) have been capped. The GSTAT President is now subject to a maximum age limit of 70 years, while the age limit for members has been set at 67 years. This adjustment represents a change from the previous age limits of 67 years for the President and 65 years for members of GSTAT. This move aims to ensure the continued efficiency and relevance of the GST Appellate Tribunal.
Click here for the Official Circular of GST Council
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