Massive support for ‘very very simple’ GST: Minister

On demands from certain quarters to lower the rates, the minister said, “Nothing is perfect, nothing is final. We can make changes,” he said. To back his statement, he pointed out that the 18th meeting of the GST Council had lowered the tax rate on fertilisers, revising the rate arrived upon at its previous meeting.

“There is problem for regional cinema, Tamil Nadu (theatres) also agitated, there are problems for textile and beedi (industries). Everybody will be asking for lower slabs,” he said.

But these things were not unsurmountable and could be discussed and disposed of by the GST council ‘which is dynamic’ and which would meet from time to time, he said, adding, that doubts on GST were also being addressed.

Ministers were fanning out across the country even as 600 training classes have been held for officers in this regard. Further, the GST Council, which had representatives from both the Centre and state governments, would discuss various issues, he said.