Foreign exchange realisation data sharing enhances export transaction verification and reduces manual intervention in GST-related compliance processes.
The memorandum establishes a data-sharing arrangement to transmit electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC) and Import Export Code data via an existing secured electronic platform, enabling automated verification of export foreign exchange realisations and reducing manual intervention in export transaction processing and compliance under GST.

Multi-rate GST design to protect low-consumption items and a temporary compensation cess to fund state revenue transition.
The note proposes a four-slab multi-rate GST with essential food items zero-rated to prevent regressivity and slabs set to reflect current effective tax burdens, preserving revenue neutrality and limiting inflationary shocks. It also contrasts two compensation financing methods: funding via an additional GST levy, which would require a substantially larger gross tax due to revenue sharing and devolution, versus maintaining targeted cesses for a limited transition period to finance state compensation without imposing extra immediate burden on taxpayers.

GST rate determination delayed as council converges on compensation cess and defers slab allocation to next meeting
The GST Council deferred final tax slab decisions while agreeing in principle to a compensation cess on luxury and sin goods to compensate states for revenue loss during an initial five-year transition. An officers' committee will allocate commodities to the agreed multi-slab structure; industry criticised the cess as contrary to one-nation, one-tax. The meeting also revisited administrative allocation of taxpayers between Centre and states, with dual control and the revenue-threshold for exclusive state control under active reconsideration.

Cess on demerit goods risks undermining GST simplicity by creating non creditable central levies and adjustable rates.
The proposed imposition of a cess on ultra luxury and demerit goods departs from the original GST concept by creating an additional, potentially non creditable levy above the highest GST rate, enabling the Centre to vary the cess to build a compensation pool for states while affecting incidence, administration, and predictability of taxation on those goods.

GST assessees control dispute: government urges Central tax officers to refrain from protests, citing conduct rules and penalties.
Government directed the Association to refrain from proposed protests over allocation of assessees under GST, noting GST Council decision-making and advising consultation. The Board invoked Rule 7 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and DOPT OMs, warning that mass absenteeism, go-slow, mass casual leave or other concerted refusal to work constitute "strike"; such conduct attracts the "no work-no pay" principle, may be treated as unauthorized absence and may lead to disciplinary or criminal action.