Guv calls for collaboration among stakeholders to shape GST

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma stressed the need for collaboration among stakeholders, governments, professionals, the judiciary, and industry to shape the Goods and Services Tax (GST) during challenging times.
Speaking at the Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) Summit on “The Role of Executive and Judiciary in Shaping GST,” he highlighted GST as a milestone in India’s fiscal history.
Governor Jishnu Dev Varma noted that GST is more than a tax reform; it aims to create “One Nation, One Tax,” enhancing the ease of doing business, transparency, and cooperative federalism. However, he noted the challenges GST faced during global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. He stressed the need for coordination between the executive and judiciary to ensure policies are adaptable and constitutionally sound.
Citing Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Jishnu Dev Varma said, “Where justice is administered, there stands the foundation of Dharma.” He appreciated the judiciary’s role in interpreting tax laws and balancing the interests of the state and citizens.
Meanwhile, Justice SVN Bhatti of the Supreme Court stated that the judiciary’s role is to ensure fairness for both taxpayers and the government. V. Sridharan, Senior Advocate at Bombay High Court, delivered a keynote address on legal interpretations.
FTCCI President Suresh Kumar Singhal and GST Committee Chairman Irshad Ahmed called for a transparent, predictable tax regime to reduce litigation and support business stability.