The GST Council meeting is likely to be held on February 18 which will be headed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Taxation of pan masala and gutka firms is likely to be discussed in the 49th GST meeting. Apart from this, GST on online gaming, casino and horse racing can also be discussed. The GST Council meeting was last held on 17 December 2022. According to the information, in this meeting the Council clarified the definition of SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle). Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the case of SUVs, the explanation given is that the higher rate of compensation cess of 22 per cent is applicable to a motor vehicle meeting all the four conditions – popularly referred to as an SUV Is known. It has an engine capacity of more than 1,500cc length more than 4,000 mm There is a ground clearance of 170 mm and above. The Finance Minister said that the Council has decided that if any other motor vehicle category needs to be added to the 22 per cent cess, a panel of central and state tax officers (Fitness Committee) will look into it.Center and states will try to broaden the GST base at every level to increase tax collection, which is about Rs 1.4 lakh crore on an average every month. As of now, 1.40 crore taxpayers are registered under GST.Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said the Council has taken a “pioneering decision” to decriminalize three types of GST offenses – obstructing or obstructing any officer in the discharge of his duties intentional tampering of material evidence Failure to provide further information. Explain that, except for the offense of issue of invoice without supply of goods or services or both, the minimum threshold of tax amount for initiation of prosecution under GST has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.
