GST refund disbursement prioritized with expedited IT-driven verification to accelerate payments to eligible traders before the festival.
Directed expedited processing and disbursement of GST refunds pending since 2019, prioritizing undisputed and genuine refund applications in accordance with rules, and implementing an advanced IT module using data analytics and automation to accelerate verification and payment while enhancing transparency and trader representation through a Traders' Welfare Board.

GST fraud through fake registrations and invoices leads to enforcement action and seizure of documentary and digital evidence.
Detection of systemic GST fraud through false registrations and fictitious invoices to illegally claim and pass on input tax credit. Investigators found forged identity and registration documents, photographs of non operational premises, and evidence of shell entities generating fake invoices and e way bills; searches recovered mobile devices and documentary evidence. Enforcement action by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence included case registration, seizure of materials, and at least one arrest.

Export relief measures to ease liquidity and logistics pressures while boosting FTAs and diversification for tariff-hit exporters.
The Commerce Ministry's multi-tiered plan responds to US tariffs by providing immediate liquidity relief, SEZ flexibility, GST rationalisation and operational measures-including E commerce export hubs, simplified logistics and an inventory model allowing third party facilitators to manage compliance and logistics-to ease MSME burdens, preserve employment and orders, and reduce compliance and logistics costs.

GST rate rationalisation urged, with consumer pass-through, state compensation and transfer of sin levies to advance federal cooperation.
Opposition-ruled states back GST rate rationalisation and cuts for mass-consumption items, demand mechanisms to ensure consumer pass-through, seek five years' compensation to all states with 2024-25 as base year to offset revenue loss, and request full transfer of additional levies on sin and luxury goods to states while urging GST 2.0 to simplify procedures and protect state interests to advance cooperative federalism.

GST rate simplification urged, tied to consumer pass-through, state compensation, and transfer of sin and luxury levies.
Eight opposition-ruled states back reducing GST rate slabs and cutting rates for mass-consumption items, conditioned on a mechanism to ensure benefits reach consumers, five-year compensation to all states using 2024-25 as base year to offset revenue losses, and full transfer to states of additional levies on sin and luxury goods above proposed surcharges; they also press for GST 2.0 combining slab rationalisation, rate cuts, and procedural simplification for MSMEs while safeguarding state revenues.

GST reforms could boost consumption, expand manufacturing and employment, supporting state development and infrastructure plans.
GST reforms are characterised as a fiscal measure to boost consumption, thereby expanding manufacturing and employment. The Viksit Odisha 2036 roadmap sets sectoral priorities-mining and metals, chemicals and petrochemicals, IT, food processing, tourism and MSMEs-and links fiscal reform to industrialisation and skill development. Major infrastructure commitments in rail, highways, roads, ports, irrigation and urban development are advanced as complementary mechanisms to translate increased demand into sustained economic and employment growth.

GST rate cuts expected to boost consumption and support growth despite external tariffs posing downside risk.
Projected FY26 growth is retained at 6.3-6.8 per cent as proposed GST rate cuts are expected to boost consumption and offset external demand risks from newly imposed punitive tariffs. The additional tariffs are likely to concentrate adverse effects in the second quarter, causing a negative shock to manufacturing and exports if sustained. The government plans to lower indirect tax rates while maintaining fiscal prudence and meeting fiscal targets, with the GST Council set to consider reducing rate slabs and introducing a higher sin/ultra luxury rate to support demand.

GST rate rationalisation must include revenue protection, a supplementary levy on sin goods, and guaranteed compensation.
The Centre's proposed GST rate rationalisation to a simplified two tier structure prompts demands for a robust revenue protection framework, a supplementary levy on sin and luxury goods, and a guaranteed five year compensation mechanism; states also seek anti profiteering measures and binding safeguards to protect state fiscal autonomy while pursuing cooperative federal consultations in the GST Council.

GST compensation mechanism needed to protect states' fiscal stability and autonomy during rate rationalisation discussions.
The document urges a GST compensation mechanism to accompany rate rationalisation, insisting on a robust revenue protection framework to prevent financial instability and preserve states' fiscal autonomy. It advocates that proceeds from an additional levy on sin and luxury goods be fully transferred to states to offset revenue loss, ensuring compensation supports vulnerable populations and sustains states' capacity for social welfare. It also notes a request for central assistance and a special package for flood relief tied to damage assessment.

GST compensation sought as states demand multi year relief for projected revenue loss from the Centre's reform proposal.
GST reform has led opposition states to demand a multi year compensation package from the Centre to offset projected recurring revenue shortfalls under the proposed GST changes, raising issues of fiscal federalism and the design of state compensation mechanisms.

Tax evasion enforcement: GST raids uncovered unaccounted gold, triggering seizures and recovery of tax and penalties.
State GST authorities conducted an intelligence-led enforcement operation targeting suspected sales suppression in jewellery businesses, executing coordinated searches across multiple premises and seizing unaccounted precious metal; initial enforcement steps included seizure of illicitly stored gold and recovery of tax and penalties from preliminary findings.

GST compensation sought for state revenue loss after rate rationalisation, with additional levy on sin and luxury goods to protect revenues.
Opposition-ruled states demand five years of compensation for projected GST revenue losses from the Centre's rate rationalisation, propose an additional levy on sin and luxury goods with proceeds shared among states, require anti-profiteering mechanisms to ensure consumer benefit, and suggest Union borrowing secured against future levy receipts if the levy does not fully cover shortfalls; they also seek to fix 2024-25 as the base year for revenue protection and to protect state revenues at an agreed growth benchmark.

Natural justice protections: ensure adequate reply time, recorded virtual hearings and dual-mode notice service for GST taxpayers.
Proposals seek procedural fairness and system upgrades across GST: allow reasonable reply time to pre-notice intimations, mandate recorded virtual personal hearings on request, require dual-mode notice service unless digital-only chosen, and avoid demanding physical copies already on the portal. A consolidated Case Life cycle Management Module with persistent case IDs, version-controlled repositories and save-draft functionality is recommended, alongside URP logins for personally penalized unregistered individuals, automated migration of legacy proceedings on reorganisations, and portal enhancements for registration, ITC distribution, refund processing and e-way bill data capture.

Compensation for GST revenue loss sought to protect state fiscal autonomy after proposed rate rationalisation.
Opposition-ruled states object to the Centre's GST rate rationalisation as causing substantial state revenue loss and demand compensation to preserve fiscal stability. They propose an additional duty on sin and luxury goods with proceeds distributed to states, a five-year transitional compensation period, fixing 2024-25 as the base year for revenue protection, and using loans secured against future levy receipts if deficits remain. They also seek an anti-profiteering mechanism to ensure benefits reach consumers.

Order-based refunds now claimable when any demand minor head shows a negative balance, with only negatives auto-populated.
System enhancement permits refunds under the ASSORD category when any minor head of a demand has a negative balance even if the cumulative Demand ID balance is zero or positive and regardless of Demand ID status. Only negative minor-head balances will be auto-populated into Form RFD-01; taxpayers cannot claim positive amounts. The system suggests the most recent demand order linked to the negative balance and provides tooltips near Order No. and Demand ID. A user manual and FAQs will follow and taxpayers may raise tickets with the GST helpdesk for system queries.

GST revenue compensation sought to protect state finances and ensure tax cuts benefit consumers without harming welfare.
Kerala's chief minister seeks immediate central intervention to assess and compensate for state GST revenue loss from proposed GST rate revisions, stressing that the existing 50:50 revenue division has produced shortfalls. He demands a compensation mechanism, pass through of tax reductions to consumer prices, and notes that limited state revenue capacity, borrowing constraints, and heavy socio economic expenditure obligations make sudden revenue dips likely to harm welfare programmes and housing and insurance schemes.

GST relief for cable television sought to preserve affordability, protect livelihoods and level the playing field with digital platforms.
Request for GST rate reduction on Cable TV services from 18% to 5% to restore consumer affordability, relieve working capital pressures on MSOs and LCOs, protect livelihoods, and enable MSME investment in wired broadband. The submission argues the change will level the competitive field with unregulated digital platforms and align with next generation GST reforms.

Swadeshi manufacturing pushes export-oriented electric vehicle production and domestic battery localisation, shaping investment and GST-related decisions.
The Prime Minister promoted swadeshi and Make in India as a policy to prioritise domestic production and jobs while welcoming foreign capital for locally carried out manufacturing, particularly for export oriented electric vehicles. Suzuki committed to major capacity expansion and to make its Gujarat facility a global hub for a new BEV, with plans for domestic battery cell and electrode production to localise supply chains. Investment timing and plant finalisation are being linked to pending GST decisions, and high battery import costs currently affect domestic launch timing.

GST waiver on health insurance to reduce consumer burden, contingent on insurers not raising premiums after tax cut.
A proposed GST exemption for health insurance premiums would lower costs for policyholders but cost West Bengal about Rs 900 crore annually given an 18% GST and 9% state share; the state stresses safeguards so insurers do not raise premiums and plans to expand the Swasthya Sathi scheme to boost insurance uptake.

Goods and Services Tax reform to simplify rates, improve affordability, boost formalisation and enhance competitiveness in the economy.
The proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) overhaul consolidates rates into two primary slabs and a separate higher rate for select luxury or sin goods, aiming to simplify the tax structure, improve competitiveness, reduce business costs, promote formalisation and tax compliance, and boost affordability and access to essential items for middle-class consumers, MSMEs and farmers.