The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has not held a meeting for over five months, violating Rule 6 of its Procedure and Conduct of Business Regulations, which requires the Council to meet at least once every three months.
The last meeting of the GST Council, the 55th in total, was held on December 21, 2024, in Jaisalmer. According to Rule 6, the next meeting should have taken place by March 31, 2025. However, as of now, late May, no new meeting has been held or scheduled.
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This is not the first time such a delay has occurred. In fact, this is the fourth time the Council has missed the three-month deadline. The longest delay so far was between October 2023 and June 2024, when no meeting was held for more than eight months, mainly due to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Why This Delay Matters
The GST Council is a key decision-making body responsible for making changes to the GST law, including:
When the Council doesn’t meet on time, important decisions get delayed. This creates uncertainty for businesses and slows down much-needed reforms. Taxpayers may continue to face difficulties due to outdated procedures or unresolved issues.
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What Rule 6 Says
Rule 6 of the GST Council’s procedures clearly states that the Council must meet at least once every quarter (every three months). The rule is meant to ensure consistent oversight and timely decision-making on important tax matters.
Despite being a self-imposed rule, the Council has breached it multiple times. No explanation has yet been given for the current delay.
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