GST reforms cannot serve people without protecting State revenues: T.N. CM Stalin

Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms cannot serve the people without protecting the State revenues, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Friday (August 29, 2025). His comments on social media followed a consultation of Finance Ministers of eight Opposition-ruled States in New Delhi that deliberated on the Union government’s proposed GST rate rationalisation.

“While welcoming the intent of reform, we stressed that any reduction must not erode State revenues that sustain welfare programmes and infrastructure. We urge that the benefits of lower rates must directly reach common people. A consensus draft has been framed and will be placed before the GST Council, seeking support from all States and the Union government to safeguard revenue interests and ensure fair outcomes,” Mr. Stalin said.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu led a delegation that represented the State in the consultation that was held in Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday. Karnataka, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, Telangana, and West Bengal were the other States that took part in the consultation in the national capital.