GSTAT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Recently, Union Finance Minister declared Sanjaya Kumar Mishra's appointment as the president of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT).

Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)

• About: It serves as the second level of appeal within the GST framework, available for challenging any unsatisfactory rulings issued by the First Appellate Authorities under the CGST and SGST.
• Establishment by: Section 109 of the CGST Act 2017
• Composition: Two judicial members and two technical members.
• The Tribunal is likely to be headed by a former Supreme Court judge or a former Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Aim: To provide swift, fair, and effective resolution of GST disputes, thereby reducing the burden on higher courts. 

oIt is expected to enhance the efficiency of the GST system and promote transparency in the country’s tax environment.

GST Council

• Article 279-A of the Constitution: The GST Council functions as a collaborative platform involving both the Central and state governments.
• It grants the President the power to establish the GST Council through an executive order.
• Function: To provide recommendations to both the Union and the states on crucial GST-related matters, encompassing the taxation of goods and services, exemptions, and the formulation of model GST Laws.