The GST Council, chaired by Sitharaman, will vote on a package that includes a 10‑day acknowledgment for refunds and a 60‑percent clearance target for registrations—an ambitious shift that could slash wait times for SMEs.
State revenue secretary Arjun Kumar said the changes will cut paperwork and lower transaction costs for small enterprises, making it easier for a 2025‑registered startup to file returns on its first quarter.
The reforms also strip arrest powers from tax officers for 24 offences, raising the prosecution threshold to ₹5 crore and replacing criminal penalties with civil recovery—an effort to curb litigation that has slowed supply chains.
Truck stoppages will be restricted to origin and destination states, easing logistics for high‑value cargo like semiconductors and preventing damage to fragile consignments.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is drafting a public‑consultation framework that will allow businesses with multiple offices to report to a single central point, streamlining compliance.
The Council will hold its deliberations on Wednesday, and the proposals are slated to become effective from April 1, 2027, a cut‑throat timeline that demands swift adoption by all stakeholders.