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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the newest set of GST updates greenlit by the GST Council, emphasizing that the measures aim to expedite decision-making, curb compliance expenses, and automate refund processing. He noted that eliminating arrest powers, expanding decriminalisation, and streamlining tax procedures would deliver a strongly positive outcome for businesses and citizens, reflecting the administration’s broader push toward a more transparent, trust-centered tax framework.
Announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman following the 57th GST Council meeting, the approved changes significantly limit tax authorities’ power to make arrests and raise the threshold required to launch prosecutions fivefold, shifting it to ₹5 crore. Alongside introducing largely automated, faster tax refunds, the Council also resolved to cut the standard penalty from ₹25,000 down to ₹10,000.
