Kolkata is likely to host the 57th meeting of the GST Council next month, sources said, although the Union Finance Ministry has not yet officially confirmed the venue or the schedule. The meeting is expected to be held in the second half of July, and could take up the next round of indirect tax policy reforms.
Hosting the meeting in Kolkata holds significance as it would mark one of the first major meetings of a Constitutional federal body in West Bengal after the Assembly elections. While the GST Council independently decides its agenda and meeting schedule, the choice of Kolkata would coincide with the Centre’s broader emphasis on strengthening the State’s profile as a destination for investment and financial activity following the change in government.
New reforms
The previous GST Council meeting, held on September 3, 2025, came after a gap of nearly nine months, despite the rules providing for at least one meeting every quarter. That meeting unveiled GST 2.0, including rate rationalisation and measures to ease compliance. Tax experts now expect the council to consider another set of policy reforms, some of which were discussed during 4th Annual Seminar on Direct and Indirect Taxes of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI).
Chairperson of the National Fiscal Affairs and Taxation Committee of BCCI, said that in the spirit of GST 2.0, which was launched to strengthen India’s manufacturing base, the council should correct the anomaly of non‑refund of Input Service ITC under the inverted duty structure. While GST 2.0’s rate rationalisation has supported consumption, the cost pressures has deepened on manufacturers. “Addressing this gap will ensure reducing cascading taxes, boosting competitiveness and advancing India’s vision of becoming the world’s third‑largest economy by 2047,” he said.
Also, it has been proposed before the GST Council to consider reducing the GST rate on autism care centres and allied sectors from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. Such a measure under GST would ease the financial strain on families and institutions, while reinforcing the government’s vision of inclusive growth. “By aligning tax policy with compassion, the council can ensure that essential services for differently‑abled children remain affordable, accessible and sustainable, a step that truly reflects the spirit of GST reforms,” he said.
