On 29 September, for the first time, five FICCI southern State councils — Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, AP and Telangana — came together and organised a GST Southern State Finance Minister’s conclave. The industry Minister of Karnataka, and Finance Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu shared their views. It was a very good start because the Southern States must reach a consensus on the GST issues.

Five top issues faced by the industry were presented to the ministers. These were restructuring of the Advance Ruling Authority to make it more effective, making the GST officials more accountable, notification of the GST rating section of the CGST Act 2017, non-denial of Input Tax credit claimed on genuine transactions and constitution of the GST Appellate Tribunals immediately. Many of these recommendations are in the realm of the GST Council and the Central GST authorities