1 day ago
Five States Oppose Removing GST Tax Officials’ Arrest Powers
The GST Council is meeting in Delhi to discuss changes to tax rules.
One proposal would remove the power to arrest people for certain GST offences.
Five states have raised concerns about removing that power completely.
They worry the tax system could become too weak to deal with serious violations.
A state minister said the states want different levels of enforcement.
They suggested civil arrests could remain possible in serious cases.
The Council is set to discuss the proposal, but the article does not say what decision it made.
The 57th GST Council meeting is taking place in Delhi on Thursday.
The Council is set to consider a proposal to decriminalise offences, including removing arrest provisions.
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have reportedly raised concerns about scrapping arrest powers.
The states’ reservations were expressed in meetings between state and Central government officials before the Council meeting.
A state minister said states want a graded approach that could allow civil arrests in serious cases.
- Who
- The GST Council, the Centre and states; Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have raised concerns.
- What
- The Council is set to discuss GST process reforms, including a proposal to remove arrest provisions for offences.
- Where
- Delhi.
- When
- Thursday, at the 57th GST Council meeting.
- Why
- The proposed reforms are intended to boost investor sentiment and address concerns about tax-authority overreach; some states say enforcement should retain powers for serious violations.
Support reform
Retain enforcement powers
Removing arrest provisions
Support reform
The proposed reforms aim to boost investor sentiment and allay concerns about overreach by tax authorities.
Retain enforcement powers
Five states have expressed reservations about scrapping GST arrest powers wholesale, saying enforcement should not be rendered toothless.
Enforcement in serious cases
Support reform
The proposal described is to remove arrest provisions as part of decriminalising offences.
Retain enforcement powers
A state minister said pre-prosecution arrests should be graded, with an additional civil-arrest layer for serious violations.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 57th Goods and Services Tax Council meeting
- Location
- Delhi
- Timing
- Thursday
- States raising reservations
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
- Proposal under discussion
- Decriminalise offences, including by removing arrest provisions
- States’ stated concern
- The indirect tax regime should not be rendered “toothless”
- Alternative suggested
- A graded approach allowing civil arrest in cases of serious violations
Sources
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