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The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
GST After 8 Years: Challenges, Gains, and Future Reforms
Published : Jul 11, 2025 17:23 IST - 9 MINS READ The Goods and Services Tax (GST), widely hailed as a good, simple tax, has the best and the worst of all features of the country's indirect tax system at this juncture, over eight years after its rollout. Both the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (2004-2014), led by the Congress, and the National Democratic Alliance government (NDA), led by the BJP in its first two tenures (2014-24), have claimed credit for this consumption-based tax, which was launched on July 1, 2017, at a midnight special session of Parliament by the then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. He used all his lawyerly acumen and persuasiveness to bring on board all the States and Union Territories. Early years Broadly seen as a precursor to a 'one-nation, one tax' in a country where the indirect tax system was riddled with multiple taxes and mind-boggling rates, GST was not instantly endorsed by trade and industry; it had to face a whole host of problems ranging from teething troubles to ground-level glitches that any new tax regime must wrestle with. GST subsumed as many as 17 local levies and taxes and 13 cesses into a five-tier structure, broadly simplifying the tax rates at 5, 12, 18, and 28 per cent. Bullion and jewellery had its own sui generis GST rate. Luxury and demerit goods such as tobacco are taxed at the highest rate of 28 per cent in the name of 'sin tax', while packed food and essential items attract the lowest rate of 5 per cent. The threshold limit of annual turnover for registration under GST for units engaged in supply of goods was raised from Rs.20 lakh initially to Rs.40 lakh effective from April 1, 2019, to ensure that GST compliance was not is required by small units below the threshold turnover and they were exempted from GST. Also Read | GST & federalism Grey areas With the benefit of hindsight, experts have contended that while GST has by and large simplified indirect taxes, many grey areas still linger despite the passing of eight years. They encompass a wide swath of issues, from rate rows to procedural complexities, burdening domestic taxpayers and professionals with compliance hurdles and troubles galore. This is conclusively borne out by the avalanche of GST circulars down the eight years which show ongoing compliance issues. There are numerous instances where the courts have conclusively ruled that clarifications of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) circulars could not override the CGST Act, bringing clarity and relief to the taxpayers. According to fiscal experts, because tax authorities are inundated with representations and courts give new interpretations, it is no surprise that the CBIC issues circulars to clear the air, ensure uniformity, and facilitate smooth compliance. But it is certainly not a commendable state of affairs when there are over 8,000 disputes involving the GST system over eight years, even as the long-delayed process of setting up an appellate tribunal has barely begun, with the GST Appellate Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2025, coming into force in April this year. GST Council meeting Meanwhile, the the GST Council has not held a meeting for over six months. The Council, which meets every quarter, last held a meeting on December 21, 2024, wherein the States discussed many issues bearing on the fiscal relationship with the Centre in the light of GST revenues not growing at the 14 per cent annual rate as assumed with the advent of the tax. There is also a need for higher allocation from Central taxes to their revenue kitty now that the 16th Finance Commission has completed the process of consultations with the States and is in the midst of getting its report ready by October 2025. Even as the High Courts are neck-deep in disputes, most of which would invariably relate to procedure or method rather than the statute itself, the professional tribunal will hopefully deliver, and to the satisfaction of the stakeholders. Also Read | Time to overhaul or replace GST June collection growth slips Be that as it may, the eighth anniversary of GST on July 1 was coterminous with the dismal tax collection for the month of June, after two resounding performances of of Rs.2 lakh crore each in April and May 2025. GST collections in June grew only 6.2 per cent year-on-year, the slowest since June 2021 and lower than the fantastic run of 12.6 per cent and 16.4 per cent in April and May, respectively. The slide-down stemmed from a dip in collections in domestic transactions and imports. Net GST revenue adjusted for refunds and transfers (input tax credit and after States' share) stood at Rs.1.59 lakh crore, marking am even lower and tepid 3.3 per cent year-on-year rise. As it is a consumption tax, a tangible fall in yields mirrors anaemic economic activity, besides inveterate inefficiencies in the system, which need to be tackled with new processes and procedures to ensure et the cooperation of all the beneficiaries and stakeholders for the overall efficacy of the tax. GST and ease of doing business Undoubtedly, the simplified GST regime has, by degrees, transformed the ease of doing business in the country over the years, as it has resulted in a 33 per cent improvement in transport time, enabling the logistics business to prune drastically the dwelling time in various check-points that had become choke points in the free movement of goods across the States and within States. There has also been a distinct improvement in the number of commercial taxpayers, from 60 lakh to 1.5 crore, with an average monthly collection that is close to Rs.2 lakh crores. E-invoicing and e-way bills have had a tremendous effect in terms of efficiency in operations for business and trade. It is not all hunky-dory in the GST ecosystem, though, as the total number of GST evasion cases detected by the Central government since 2020 has gone up significantly from 12,596 in 2020-21 to 25,397 in the first 10 months of 2024-25, involving a total amount of Rs.6,79,505 crore in a total of 86,711 cases in the period. Of this, Rs.1,23,896 crore has been recorded as voluntary deposits by the defalcators. In input tax credit or refund claims, there were 42,673 cases during this period involving Rs.1,66,241 crore, of which Rs.12,367 crore was accounted for by voluntary deposits, according to Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written query in the Lok Sabha on March 10, 2025. Finance Ministry mandarins claim that there are several ways to help in improving compliance and preventing tax evasions such as digitisation through e-invoicing. Operational efficiency Besides, GST analytics such as automated risk assessment based on compliance attributes of taxpayers, highlighting of outliers based on system-flagged mismatches, and providing intelligence inputs with a view to manage GST revenue risks through various tools have gone a long way to bring efficiency in operations. Efficiency has been improved by the ability to generate actionable reports, gleaning inputs about GST non-compliance or evasion on the basis of identified anomalies in taxpayer comport—including potential tax evasion, fraudulent registration, and suspicious e-way bill activity—and selection of returns for scrutiny and taxpayers for audit based on various risk parameters. The GST Amnesty Scheme under Section 128A of the IT Act announced this year is a welcome step to help taxpayers clear old arrears sans excruciating penalties. It is germane to note that a PricewaterhouseCoopers report forwarded to the GST Council, whose Chairperson is the Union Finance Minister and all State Finance Ministers are Members, pitched for the simplification of procedures, lessening of compliance burdens, and reduction in rates to three with a view to broadening the base by bringing petroleum products under the GST ambit. PricewaterhouseCoopers said: 'A transition from a 4-tier to a 3-tier rate structure would reduce interpretational disputes, improve tax certainty, and simplify compliance.'. Even as these crucial reforms are underscored to render this important tax to improve its operational efficiency, it is not altogether out of place to highlight the overwhelming urgency on GST reforms recommended by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament. The 19th report of the PAC, tabled in the Budget session of Parliament, sought a comprehensive review of the GST framework to preclude 'unnecessary procedures and requirements' and advocated a a 'revamped GST 2.0', with due consultations of all the stakeholders. Also Read | GST: For a fair share for the States Room for improvement In its scathing review of the extant GST, the PAC noted that the failure to put in place the mandatory Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of the Compensation Fund Account for more than six years had 'adversely affected' release of compensation to States. It may be noted that GST's advent in 2017 had led to apprehensions among States about loss of fiscal autonomy and centralisation of all collections to the Union. The GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017, came into force to compensate for this loss of revenue and promised States a 14 per cent annual revenue growth for five years (2017-22). But many States have bemoaned either non-receipt of funds or undue delays which they said negatively impacted governance. Alluding to filing and refunds by GST payers, the PAC lamented the extant mechanisms as inadequate, pointing at unconscionable waiting periods for refunds which could result in potential cash flow problems to businesses operating on wafer-thin margins in a high-cost economy. It said that the refund processing system ought to provide clearer timelines for processing claims and regular updates on their status. According to fiscal experts, the time is ripe for the Finance Ministry to strongly consider the growing concerns of the States regarding their financial requirements and the revenue share they get not only through this indirect tax but also in the overall devolution of taxes, and reduce the Centre's recourse to cess, as it is not not shareable with States. Alongside, other overriding concerns voiced by trade and industry also need to be factored in by the GST Council in its forthcoming meeting so that the beneficiaries bear this tax with less pain and more gain to the treasury in a mutual win-win game, going forward. G. Srinivasan is a freelance journalist based in Delhi who previously worked with The Hindu Group.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Indrani Mukerjea shines as Chitrangada in IME's bold retelling of Tagore's Warrior Princess
On a night that will linger in Mumbai's cultural memory, Indrani Mukerjea stepped onto the stage of the Royal Opera House and delivered a performance that was nothing short of transformative. Chitrangada – Ek Sashakt Naari , produced by Indrani Mukerjea Enterprise (IME), reimagined Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's timeless heroine for a new era — and did so with a ferocity and vulnerability that belonged wholly to Mukerjea. In the dual roles of Kurupa and Surupa, Indrani embodied every nuance of Chitrangada's journey: the fierce warrior moulded by her father to rule, the woman torn between love and self-worth, and the human being who refuses to choose between strength and tenderness. Her portrayal resonated beyond the footlights, drawing audiences into Chitrangada's inner world with a depth that was both raw and regal. The night belonged as much to Indrani as it did to her company. With Chitrangada – Ek Sashakt Naari , it showcased an unwavering commitment to powerful, women-centred storytelling. It was a production that blended classical Indian aesthetics with a modern heartbeat — a delicate balancing act that required both courage and clarity of purpose. The result was a visually striking and emotionally resonant spectacle, featuring original music, hybrid choreography, and a stage design that mirrored Chitrangada's transformation from Kurupa to Surupa. The production's ambition announced IME as a formidable force in India's performing arts landscape, unafraid to take creative risks and tell stories that challenge, inspire, and heal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Khám phá nhà tiền chế giá rẻ tại Đường Ubnd Phường An Khánh Nomad's Notebook Nhấp vào đây Undo Much of the evening's magic sprang from the creative mind of director and composer Madhumita Chakraborty. She approached Tagore's 1892 one-act masterpiece with a clear mission: to strip it of inaccessible grandeur and find its human core. The result was a score and choreography that felt urgent and timeless. Director Tony Chakraborty's ability to translate Chitrangada's internal struggles into visual metaphors elevated every moment. Subtle shifts in lighting reflected her shifting identity, while bold set changes mirrored her inner turmoil. His staging was often poetic, sometimes startling, but always deeply connected to the character's journey. His work gave the play a fluidity that carried audiences seamlessly from moments of introspection to the thunderous crescendos of battle and self-realisation. If there was one surprise of the night, it was how dancer Sandip Soparrkar's usual stage presence seemed almost dwarfed by Indrani's incandescent performance. As Arjun, Soparrkar brought his characteristic precision and grace, but even his carefully measured movements and emotional restraint could not pull focus from the magnetic centre that was Mukerjea's Chitrangada. The audience's response was immediate and thunderous. As the final lights dimmed, Chitrangada – Ek Sashakt Naari was met with a standing ovation that felt as much a tribute to Mukerjea's extraordinary performance as it was to the production's bold artistic vision. By the end of the evening, it was clear that both Indrani and her company had not only brought Tagore's Chitrangada to life but redefined what it means to tell a woman's story on an Indian stage. And in a world where women's voices are too often muted, Chitrangada – Ek Sashakt Naari thundered with truth, beauty, and a warrior's heart.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks is changing how it charges for matcha and syrups
Starbucks said Tuesday that the coffee chain is changing how it charges for beverage add-ins like matcha and syrups as it moves to standardize pricing across the company's stores. Starbucks will now charge 80 cents for any combination of syrup or sauce that modifies an unflavored drink, instead of charging for each addition. But the company noted that it won't charge customers to substitute a sauce or syrup in a pre-flavored drink, such as adding vanilla syrup to a Caffè Mocha. Starbucks also plans to charge $1 for adding a scoop of matcha powder to non-matcha drinks, and will charge 50 cents to include dried fruit in a beverage. The changes were reported earlier by Bloomberg News. The change is the latest under CEO Brian Niccol, who wants to overhaul the coffee giant's image as it looks to drive growth. As part of that effort, Niccol wants to improve customer service and ensure that Starbucks cafes are "inviting places to linger," among other goals and initiatives. The company on Tuesday also said it's conducting a limited customer test of a new feature in the Starbucks app to show pricing updates in real time when a consumer is ordering food or drinks. The goal is to provide better pricing transparency when people place an order, a Starbucks spokesperson said. Starbucks said customers can add its classic syrup, a liquid sugar akin to simple syrup, to any drink at no cost. "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida could be just days from opening ICE arrests 11 Iranian nationals in 48 hours Suspect linked to bombing of California fertility clinic dies in custody, Bureau of Prisons says
France 24
23-06-2025
- Health
- France 24
Toxic threat from 'forever chemicals' sparks resistance in Georgia towns
Instead, it may be poisoning them. Tests show their spring water is laced with toxic "forever chemicals" at levels tens of thousands of times above federal safety guidelines, likely from nearby carpet factories. "It scares us," said Sasha, a 38-year-old dispatcher whose husband drives long hauls across the country. She's worried about their five children, two-year-old granddaughter, and a grandson due in October. PFAS -- or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances -- are a group of more than 10,000 human-made chemicals that repel heat, water, oil, and stains. Developed in the 1940s, they're still used in nonstick pans, firefighting foams and stain-proof carpets, yet are now linked to hormonal disruption, immune suppression and cancers. Their ultra-tough carbon-fluorine bonds take millennia to break down in the environment, linger in bodies for years, and are now found in the blood of nearly every living creature on Earth. – 'Carpet capital of world' – Here in Dalton, Georgia, which calls itself the "Carpet Capital of the World," mills run by giants Mohawk Industries and Shaw Industries are widely blamed for making the region one of America's most PFAS-laden. They're accused of spewing the chemicals into the air, flushing them into sewers unequipped to remove them, and indirectly contaminating farmland through sludge byproducts later spread as fertilizer. The Cordles have joined other landowners in suing the carpet makers, seeking damages to "remediate" their properties -- a process they estimate could cost about $1 million per acre -- plus punitive damages. Mohawk, Shaw, and chemical giant 3M declined to comment on the complaint. Chemical maker Chemours, another chemical maker and defendant, says it has no factories in Georgia and denies culpability. In a complex web of lawsuits, Dalton Utilities, which manages the local water system, has also sued the carpet makers, while Mohawk has sued 3M over the same issue. The Biden administration last year enacted the first enforceable national drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals. But under President Donald Trump, the federal government has since rolled back limits on four of the chemicals and delayed the compliance deadline for the remaining two. Test cases Meanwhile, the Cordles have seen alarming signs, in both humans and animals. Sasha, who moved to the property after marrying Jamie in 2020, soon developed two autoimmune conditions, as well as high blood pressure and chronic fatigue. "Sometimes getting out of bed, I feel like I'm 80," she said. Her grown children also report various ailments -- and some goat kids didn't survive their birth defects. Attorney Ben Finley is leading a wave of damages claims, recruiting new clients at buoyant town halls. So far, his firm has filed suits for 18 lead plaintiffs. "We're drawing a direct line between contamination, lost property value and cleanup cost," Finley said. – Entering the food web – While the lawyers work the crowds, water expert Bob Bowcock takes water, soil and dust samples to help build the scientific case behind the legal one. "We've got springs emitting into ponds that are discharging to creeks at over 180,000 parts per trillion," he said. The national guideline for drinking water is just four parts per trillion, and local creeks are often seen frothing with pollution. PFAS in the soil move up the protein chain and into the food web -- contaminating eggs, milk, beef, and leafy greens that find themselves on store shelves nationwide. The carpet makers are the area's main economic lifeline, yet many are now turning against them. Mary Janet Clark, 62, toiled for the carpet makers, had her ovaries removed after cancer, and now has a tumor in her brain. "We helped them build their business and make all that money," said her son, David Wray, 40. "It's just cruel." – Lost dreams – Others share similar grief. Human-resources manager Teresa Ensley, 57, lost her brother, father and husband to cancer in just a few years. Studies have linked PFAS to elevated colon cancer rates, the disease that killed her brother and husband. She and her 81-year-old mother both suffer severe thyroid problems and have had hysterectomies. Even for those not yet sick, the toll is palpable. Greg and Sharon Eads hoped to retire on farmland they bought in 2019, but it has since tested hot for PFAS, unraveling their dream. They own $50,000 worth of cattle now off-limits for milk or meat. It's become "basically a petting zoo," said Greg. "I can't do anything with them, not in good conscience." During a recent visit, the couple led AFP through bucolic pastures where the herd huddled around a healthy newborn calf -- a welcome moment of hope after several others were lost to deformities.
Boston Globe
30-05-2025
- Boston Globe
A teen accused of trafficking a minor in Providence was ‘set-up' by other people, her attorneys say. Now, she may be deported.
Advertisement 'The charges on their face look serious,' MacDonald told the Globe. 'In reality, based upon the evidence that I have viewed, this is an extremely weak case that I have no doubt ... in court with evidence and cross examination, we could substantially destroy it. But there's no hearing, and there's no procedure while she's being detained out of state.' Get Rhode Island News Alerts Sign up to get breaking news and interesting stories from Rhode Island in your inbox each weekday. Enter Email Sign Up 'And that's been the problem with ICE these days: They're picking up people, detaining them out of state, and what happens to the criminal cases are you simply have no ability to contest the evidence, and warrants issue,' he continued. 'So not only do the charges linger, but the warrants linger, and therefore there's an inability to ever legally come back into the United States.' Advertisement Soriano-Neto was taken into ICE custody on March 11, the agency said in 'Children are among the most vulnerable members of society and anyone who would do them harm represents a significant threat to our community,' ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Boston acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde said in a statement. According to a Providence police arrest report, on Jan. 14, officers met with the parents of a girl – whose name was redacted in the report – who said their daughter told them she was sexually assaulted by four men in Providence. The girl told authorities that on Jan. 8, she received a call around 8 a.m. from a friend, who was identified as Soriano-Neto, who told her to meet her on Atwells Avenue and that she was going to a party. The girl said she then left Mount Pleasant High School, met Soriano-Neto, and drove with her to a house on Concannon Street, where she was met by three men, the report states. Soriano-Neto 'asked her to make sure she gives them food and make sure she gets money from the three male subjects as well,' police wrote. The girl said she was able to get $100 cash from the men, which she gave to Soriano-Neto, according to the report. Soriano-Neto then left the house, leaving the girl by herself, police wrote. At around 2 p.m., four different men came to the house, police wrote. Details about what allegedly happened were redacted from the report: The men 'came into the house and began to [redacted], however they did not have [redacted] with her,' the report states. Advertisement The girl said she was able to defend herself and run away from them, according to police. As she was fleeing, someone she knew saw her and 'was able to help her,' the report states. That person brought her to a friend's house on Broad Street, where the girl spent the next three days before she was brought home on Jan. 11, according to police. The girl had been reported missing by her parents from Jan. 8 to 11, authorities wrote. According to the report, Soriano-Neto was arrested by Providence police on Feb. 20. ICE officials said she was charged with indecent solicitation of a child and trafficking of a minor. Court records show Soriano-Neto posted a $35,000 bond on Feb. 21. Another person, Saul Adalid Izaguirre Pavon, was also arrested in connection to the case on March 22, records show. MacDonald said Soriano-Neto is not a human trafficker. 'These people from high school that were supposedly her friends were apparently hooking up with men and getting cash for it, and when word got out, they pointed the finger – at least one of them did – at Vivian ... without any proof whatsoever other than their word," MacDonald said. In the report, police wrote, 'It should be noted that [redacted name]'s statement was vague and inconsistent.' MacDonald has asked the state Attorney General's Office to take a close look at the case. Salazar Tohme said felony cases typically have at least a six-month review in state court, but Soriano-Neto has not been afforded that since she was detained by ICE so quickly. Salzar Tohme is now seeking asylum status for Soriano-Neto, who already has an approved Special Immigrant Juvenile petition, but is still waiting for a visa number, she said. Advertisement Immigrants are eligible for SIJ status they have 'have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent,' according to 'We're put in this position where a child is essentially going to be sent back to her country, and she didn't get her day in state court, and I think that is a grave injustice,' Salzar Tohme said. She added, 'The more that this happens, the more that we need to realize that the system is completely broken and individualized cases need to be looked at more carefully.' ICE officials said Soriano-Neto was arrested on Oct. 25, 2017 after she unlawfully entered the United States at Calexico, Calif. and was later released on parole by ICE on Nov. 17, 2017. She would have been around 10 years old at the time. ICE did not respond to requests seeking more information. The Rhode Island US Attorney's Office also announced developments in two immigration-related cases on Thursday. Officials Prosecutors said Alvarado was previously deported in July 2015 after he was convicted in Connecticut on cocaine and heroin trafficking charges. But immigration officers learned he was back in the country last month when his fingerprints matched in the National Crime Information Center after he was arrested in Rhode Island for allegedly driving on a suspended license and on an obstruction charge, officials said. Alvarado is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25. Advertisement Prosecutors also Perez was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court in December 2023 on charges of simple assault and/or battery and disorderly conduct, officials said. He was removed from the country by ICE on Nov. 20, 2024. But on May 12, immigration officers learned he was in the United States when his fingerprints matched in the crime information center after he was arrested on May 11 in Rhode Island for domestic disorderly conduct and for allegedly violating a domestic no contact order, officials said. He is scheduled to be arraigned on June 2 and is being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions on the state-level charges, prosecutors said. Christopher Gavin can be reached at
