The GST Council Secretariat moved the 57th meeting to October 8, citing "unavoidable circumstances" in an office memorandum. This is the second time the session has slipped. Originally set for September 12, the gathering was first pushed to October 7 because India hosted the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair the session alongside state finance ministers. The agenda is heavy. It covers changes to registration, returns, and refund mechanisms. More critically, the council plans to discuss policy reforms to resolve disputes and smooth the flow of input tax credit (ITC). The goal is simple: cut compliance time and costs for taxpayers.
Sources indicate the council is ready to consider sweeping procedural changes. This includes moving to decriminalise certain GST offences. They also plan to strip arrest powers from GST officers. These moves aim to make compliance easier for businesses, particularly e-commerce suppliers who face heavy regulatory scrutiny.
The delays have created uncertainty for businesses waiting on clarification. With the meeting now fixed for Thursday, October 8, all eyes turn to the final decisions. Any announcement on decriminalisation will immediately reshape the tax enforcement landscape.