The Group of Ministers (GoM) was formed to review GST rate rationalization and other issues referred by the GST Council. This GoM, consisting of Ministers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala, is headed by the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. However, it is essential to note that the GoM only serves as a recommendatory body, and it is the GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister, that holds the authority to approve any GST rate changes. As of now, the GST Council has not deliberated on any potential rate adjustments, nor has it received the GoM’s recommendations, which are still in the process of being finalized. Media reports speculating about the rate changes based on GoM deliberations are therefore premature and not grounded in official developments.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
There are various reports in the media regarding the Group of Ministers (GoM) recommendations on GST rate changes regarding various goods and services. The reports in public media on the basis of GoM deliberations are premature and speculative.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) was constituted to look into the GST rate rationalization apart from certain other issues referred by the GST Council. The GoM comprises of Hon’ble Ministers from the States of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala with the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar as the Convenor.
It is the GST Council chaired by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister and including Ministers of all the States/UTs, which is empowered to recommend GST rates including changes to them. The GoM is only a recommendatory body.
The GST Council has not yet deliberated on any GST rate changes. The Council has not even received the recommendations of the GoM. In fact the GoM has yet to finalise and present its recommendations to the Council after which the Council will take a final view on the recommendations of the GoM.
The reports in the media are thus premature and speculative.
Source- Twitter Handle of CBIC
