&w=3840&q=100)
Fixing GST: India needs a simple, stable, and predictable tax structure
premium
Business Standard Editorial Comment Mumbai
Listen to This Article
The goods and services tax (GST) system is set for an overhaul in the coming weeks. It has been reported that Union Home Minister Amit Shah would initiate discussions with different stakeholders to resolve pending issues. If true, this reflects the political urgency to improve the GST system through a consensus between the central government and the states. Another news report last week showed that the Prime Minister's Office had given in-principle approval to the restructuring of the framework. The Union government's intention to adjust the GST system to improve its workings should be welcomed. It, however, must be noted

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
24 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Jagdeep Dhankhar's tenure as West Bengal Governor was a constitutional flashpoint
The office of the Governor in India's constitutional architecture occupies a unique and often delicate space. The tenure of Jagdeep Dhankhar, who resigned as Vice President of India last night, as Governor of West Bengal is a classic example of how that delicate space can cause conflict between two offices. As the nominal head of a state, the Governor is expected to function as a vital link to the Union, a custodian of the Constitution, and a guide to the elected government. This role has an inherent tension: How to perform these duties, particularly on constitutional oversight, without being perceived as encroaching upon the democratic mandate of the state legislature and executive. Dhankhar's role as Governor of WB brought this tension into sharp public focus. A defining feature was his prolific use of public platforms, most notably Twitter, to communicate his views and question the state government's actions. This marked a departure from constitutional tradition and practice, that gubernatorial advice and concerns are best offered in private consultation with the Chief Minister. By taking his critiques of administrative and policy matters directly to the public sphere, Jagdeep Dhankhar created a dynamic of constant, open friction with the Mamata Banerjee government, fundamentally altering the nature of their constitutional engagement. On the issue of law and order, Dhankhar was a persistent critic, frequently summoning senior police officials and issuing statements that questioned the state's administrative capacity. Following the 2021 Assembly elections, his visits to areas affected by post-poll violence were presented as a response to a constitutional crisis. However, these actions were met with accusations from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) that the Raj Bhavan was acting in a partisan manner, with his pronouncements often aligning closely with the narrative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the opposition in the state. This friction extended deep into the legislative domain. The Governor's power to grant or withhold assent to bills passed by the legislature is a constitutional check, but it is meant to be exercised with utmost restraint. During his tenure, several bills, including the crucial Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, remained pending at the Raj Bhavan for extended state government argued that such delays amounted to an obstruction of the legislative will of the people. To appreciate the distinctiveness of this approach, it is instructive to contrast it with the gubernatorial style of Gopal Krishna Gandhi, who served in West Bengal from 2004 to 2009. Gandhi, a seasoned diplomat and scholar, presided during an equally, if not more, volatile period. His interventions, however, were rooted in what could be described as constitutional quietude and moral suasion. He engaged in firm, but discreet, dialogue with the then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. He sought to be a mediator, a calming influence who could facilitate talks between the government and the Opposition, then led by Mamata Banerjee. The contrast is one of method: One chose public scrutiny as the primary tool of accountability, the other chose private counsel and moral authority. While one contextualises Jagdeep Dhankhar's tenure, it cannot be divorced from the prevailing national political climate, characterised by intense competition between the BJP-led central government and powerful regional parties such as the TMC. His actions in West Bengal were seen by many observers as part of a pattern in Opposition-ruled states where the Raj Bhavan became a key site of political contestation. This aligns with the long-standing debate over the role of the Governor, with bodies like the Sarkaria Commission having cautioned decades ago against appointing active politicians to the post to prevent the office from being used for partisan ends. The governorship of Dhankhar in West Bengal was a tenure that consistently tested the established conventions of India's federal democracy. By adopting a posture of public and persistent opposition to the elected state government, his term forced a debate on the very nature of the Governor's role. It highlighted a fundamental divergence in approach from predecessors like Gopal Krishna Gandhi, who operated on the principle of dignified detachment and mediation. The legacy of Jagdeep Dhankhar's term in West Bengal is, therefore, one that brought critical questions to the fore, one that continues to play out in other states: Where does a Governor's duty to uphold the Constitution end and political interference begin? And what are the long-term institutional consequences when the Raj Bhavan is perceived not as a neutral umpire, but as a player in the political arena? The author is a political anthropologist and teaches in Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Government College, Kolkata


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Commerce Ministry highlights key initiatives to boost India's trade and startup ecosystem
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led by Union Minister Piyush Goyal , has unveiled a series of significant initiatives taken over the past week, aimed at strengthening India's trade Goyal posted a notable recognition of grassroots entrepreneurship on the social media platform 'X'. The Ministry hosted the One District One Product (ODOP) Awards, presenting 34 awards across three Goyal posted a notable recognition of grassroots entrepreneurship on the social media platform 'X'. The Ministry hosted the One District One Product (ODOP) Awards, presenting 34 awards across three One District One Product (ODOP) initiative is a government-led program in India aimed at promoting balanced regional development and boosting the local economy. The government reiterated its commitment to supporting local producers and integrating them into global value a strategic move to bolster India's global trade footprint, Minister Goyal met with Heads of Commercial Wings from 74 Indian Missions across 61 countries. The discussions focused on refining India's global trade strategy through proactive trade intelligence and a strong emphasis on four KPIs: Investment, Trade, Tourism, and Technology. The Minister also called for consistent market advisories and strategic efforts to overcome market access its push to nurture innovation, the Ministry has opened applications for the Fifth Edition of the National Startup Awards . The awards aim to celebrate startups that demonstrate not only commercial excellence but also measurable social impact, sustainability, and from diverse sectors, including agriculture, clean energy, fintech, aerospace, health, education, cybersecurity, and accessibility, are invited to addition, Minister Goyal chaired the 10th National Startup Advisory Council Meeting, engaging with industry leaders, founders, and policymakers. Emphasised innovation, R&D, and collaboration as key to reimagining India's startup a separate engagement, the Minister held detailed discussions with deeptech startups, focusing on enhancing their access to funding, infrastructure, regulatory support, and global market opportunities. The interaction aimed at identifying actionable steps to accelerate the growth of cutting-edge technological ventures in the country.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi refused appointment to CM Revanth, insulted people of Telangana: BJP chief
HYDERABAD: BJP state president N Ramchander Rao has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of showing disrespect to Telangana's people by allegedly denying appointment to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, while the latter could easily secure an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Union Ministers. Ramchander Rao also criticised Gandhi for skipping Parliament sessions where critical issues were being discussed. During a visit to Delhi on Monday, Rao met with BJP national leaders, including Sunil Bansal, Arvind Menon, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. He is scheduled to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president J.P. Nadda on Tuesday. The BJP state president said that Revanth Reddy visited Delhi 46 times since becoming the chief minister but could not get an audience with the Congress party leadership, which he said was an insult to the people of the state. He further accused the Congress of wrongly blaming the BJP and Union government on the issue of Backward Classes (BC) reservations. He pointed out that the BJP supported the BC reservation bill in the state Assembly but criticized Congress for supporting a 10% reservation under the BC quota on religious grounds, which he said his party opposes. Ramchander Rao raised concerns about the Congress government's failure to seek legal expertise before sending the BC reservation bill or recent ordinance to the central government, noting that such matters fall under the Ninth Schedule. He referred to Tamil Nadu and I.R. Coelho cases, which are under judicial review, and argued that the Congress is aware of the 50% reservation cap and yet continues to blame the BJP for political gain. Addressing factionalism in the BJP, he said that disciplinary action would be taken against those who crossed the party line, asserting that there is no distinction between new and old members. He expressed confidence that both state and national leadership would resolve any internal issues, big or small.