Why in News?
The GST Council is set to meet in July 2025 to discuss reducing items under the 12% GST slab, possibly removing it entirely. The agenda includes tax relief on intermediate services, potentially benefitting the service industry significantly.
Description:
- Constitutional Body:
- Established under Article 279A of the Indian Constitution.
- Constitution of Council:
- Chairperson: Union Finance Minister.
- Members:
- Union Minister of State for Revenue/Finance.
- Finance/Taxation Ministers of all States (or nominated State Ministers).
- Purpose & Powers:
- Makes recommendations on implementation and administration of GST.
- Covers issues like:
- GST lawsPlace of Supply principlesThreshold limitsGST rates and exemptionsSpecial provisions for States
- Disaster cess/special rates
- Decision-making:
- Quorum: 50% of total members.
- Voting Rule:
- Decision needs 3/4th majority of weighted votes.
- Central Government vote weight = 1/3rd.
- All State Governments combined = 2/3rd.
- Secretariat:
- Managed by officers from Centre and States (on deputation).
- Revenue Secretary of India is Ex-Officio Secretary.
- Secretariat expenses are fully borne by the Central Government.
- Office located in New Delhi.
Goods and Services Tax:
- Indirect Tax Reform:
- Replaced multiple taxes (excise, VAT, service tax etc.).
- Enactment:
- GST Act passed on 29th March 2017, implemented from 1st July 2017.
- Nature:
- Comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based tax.
- Levied on supply of goods and services.
- Types:
- Intra-state supply:
- Central GST (CGST) + State GST (SGST).
- Inter-state supply:
- Integrated GST (IGST).
- Intra-state supply:
- Input Tax Credit:
- Tax paid at each stage is creditable at the next stage.
- Ensures tax is paid only on value addition.
- Consumer Impact:
- Final burden is on the consumer, but businesses collect and remit the tax.

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