Op-Eds Opinion

Delhi Bans Rummy but Shuffles the GST Deck

By BPN News Desk September 6, 2025

The irony is too perfect. The Indian government banned online rummy, poker, and fantasy sports calling them “gambling,” thereby forfeiting nearly ₹20,000 crore in annual tax revenue. And yet, at the same time, it has embarked on its own gamble — GST 2.0 — giving up another ₹50,000–70,000 crore in revenues, all while running a […]

Op-Eds Opinion

GST Cuts Without Watchdog Risk Corporate Windfalls

By BPN News Desk September 6, 2025

India’s sweeping GST 2.0 reforms were announced with the promise of cheaper goods and services, from soaps to insurance premiums. Economists and analysts immediately began calculating how much this would bring down inflation, which sectors would get a boost, and what kind of stimulus it could deliver to the broader economy. Before those numbers could […]

Business Finance

Nirmala Sitharaman Demands GST Cuts Reach Consumers

By BPN News Desk September 5, 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said businesses must ensure that GST rate reductions are reflected in retail prices, not absorbed as extra profits. She added that the government has put in place a monitoring system to track compliance and will intervene where needed. GST 2.0 Structure The new GST framework, effective from September 22, simplifies the […]

Expert Opinions Opinion

Cheaper Essentials, Tax-Free Insurance, Affordable Appliances and Cars: Inside India’s GST Overhaul

By BPN News Desk September 4, 2025

India’s Goods and Services Tax has finally undergone the kind of overhaul that touches every citizen’s wallet. The government’s latest reform order, unveiled as a Diwali gift, slashes rates across a wide span of categories — from soaps and shampoos to tractors and three-wheelers. Essentials drop to 5%, health and life insurance premiums are freed […]

Business Finance

GST Council Rolls Out Two-Slab Tax, Adds 40% ‘Sin’ Tier

By BPN News Desk September 4, 2025

The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has approved sweeping reforms to India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST), effective from 22 September 2025, coinciding with the Navratri festival. New GST Structure Under the new framework, the existing four tax slabs—5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%—are replaced by a simplified two-slab structure of 5% and […]

Business Finance

GST Council Meets to Discuss Major Rate Changes

By BPN News Desk September 3, 2025

The 56th GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, began a two-day meeting in New Delhi on September 3. The meeting includes representatives from the Centre and states to discuss major reforms in India’s indirect tax system. Simplifying the Tax Structure One of the key proposals is to replace the current four-tier GST system […]

South India State News

Karnataka Seeks Compensation Over Two-Slab GST Losses

By BPN News Desk September 1, 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has warned that the Centre’s proposed shift to a two-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure of 5% and 18% could lead to a revenue loss of nearly ₹15,000 crore annually for the state. While he expressed support for rationalisation of the tax regime, he insisted that reforms must not come […]

Economy National

GST Reforms Must Safeguard State Revenues, Says Stalin

By BPN News Desk August 29, 2025

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin cautioned that Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms cannot genuinely benefit the public unless they protect states’ revenues. He stressed that financial security for states is essential even as the Centre moves ahead with rate rationalisation. States Unite Ahead Of Council Meet Stalin’s remarks came as eight opposition-ruled

Business Finance

New GST Rates Likely by Dussehra as Revenue Shortfall Looms

By BPN News Desk August 25, 2025

The government is preparing to revamp the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure by Dussehra. The new plan includes two primary slabs of 5% and 18%, along with a 40% levy on luxury and sin goods. The proposal will be discussed in the upcoming GST Council meeting in early September, with implementation likely around the […]

Business Finance

GST Council to Meet Sept 3–4 on Two-Slab Reform

By BPN News Desk August 23, 2025

The 56th GST Council meeting will be held on September 3 and 4, 2025, in New Delhi. Both sessions will begin at 11 a.m., while a preparatory officers’ meeting is scheduled for September 2. Proposal for Two Main Slabs The Centre is expected to present a proposal to reduce the goods and services tax (GST) […]