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GST Council to weigh removing officer arrest power
The Indian Express··6d ago
The GST Council meeting on October 8 will discuss process reforms after the September 2025 rate cuts. A key proposal is removing GST officers' power to arrest, officials said. The prosecution threshold may rise from Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore. No notice would be issued where the amount is below Rs 10,000, including pending cases.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Small disputes below Rs 10,000 would no longer draw GST notices if the change passes.
- Tax disputes would rely on recovery, interest and penalty rather than arrest leverage, officials said.
- A fine would be available as an option in every prosecution case under the proposal.
What's Happening
- Officials said the October 8 agenda covers registration, returns, refunds and demand replies.
- Export of services place-of-supply rules may shift to the customer's location.
- The previous GST Council meeting in September 2025 cut slabs mainly to 5 percent and 18 percent.
What Is On The GST Agenda
- Officials said process reforms aim at a stable regime with fewer major tweaks for 5-6 years.
- Minimum sentencing requirements are proposed for removal so courts are not bound to imprison.
- Cases below Rs 10,000 are about a fifth of all cases by number, an official said.
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