Delay in GST Council meeting affects online gaming, casinos, horseracing and other sectors
It is almost four months since last meeting took place but there is still no indication about when the next meeting will happen. Technically, the meeting should be held at least once in three months. Experts feel that delay in holding the meeting is likely to have an impact on reform measures and new initiatives under GST.
Rule 6 of the Procedure and Conduct of Business Regulations of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) says “The Council shall meet at least once in every quarter of the financial year.” Going by this rule, the next meeting should have been taken place by September 30.
Fixing date
A key reason for not fixing a date is delay in reworking of report by group of ministers (GoM) on online gaming, Casinos & Horse Racings. This along with a report by another GoM on setting of GST Appellate tribunals is key agenda items to be taken up in next meeting.
The last meeting took place in June 28 and 29. At the end of that meeting, it was announced that next meeting will take place during the first week of August at Madurai. Since then, there was no information about when exactly the meeting will take place. It is not the first time, when three months period is going to end without a meeting. Earlier, there was gap of over 6 months between the 42nd meeting (Oct 5 & 12, 2020) and 43rd meeting (May 23rd, 2021).
