New Delhi, Oct 08: Representing the Odisha Chief Minister, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan attended the 57th meeting of the GST Council and presented the state’s perspective on key reforms.

The 57th meeting of the GST Council was held today under the chairpersonship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The meeting discussed reforms to make GST simpler, faster, transparent and easier to comply with, supporting economic growth and the vision of “Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

The Council deliberated a range of measures to make GST simpler, faster, more transparent and easier for taxpayers to comply with. The proposed reforms are particularly aimed at reducing compliance difficulties for small businesses, MSMEs and genuine taxpayers, said the Odisha government in a statement.

A major proposal is system-based processing and sanction of refunds, enabling genuine taxpayers to receive refunds faster with greater transparency. Proposals to allow refund of ITC on capital goods used for zero-rated supplies and ITC on input services and capital goods under inverted duty structure will benefit exporters and help manufacturers unlock working capital, it said.

The proposed simplification of GST registration, with clear guidelines and practical tools and tips, will particularly benefit small businesses and taxpayers in rural and semi-urban areas.

Recommendations on GST return filing and an alternative mechanism for correcting liabilities and ITC, developed by the Working Group on GST Returns and Processes, of which the Odisha State GST team was a member, will reduce mismatches and unnecessary notices. Odisha also contributed to other process-based refund reforms through the GST Law Committee.

The proposal to remove arrest provisions for economic offences adequately addressable under GST law will strengthen the balance between enforcement and taxpayer confidence.

Overall, these reforms will promote ease of doing business and ease of compliance, making the GST regime more predictable, transparent, taxpayer-friendly and responsive. They will also provide significant relief and support to MSMEs and small businesses in Odisha, enabling them to comply more easily and focus on growth and expansion, the statement said.