Governor Jishnu Dev Varma Inaugurated A Summit On The Role Of Executive And Judiciary In Shaping GST During Challenging Times

Hyderabad: The GST Committee of Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) organised a full day Summit on The Role of Executive and Judiciary in shaping GST during challenging times on Saturday at the Hotel Taj Deccan, Hyderabad.

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Governor Shri Jishnu Dev Varma was the chief guest and inaugurated the same. Justice SVN Bhatti, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Sri V. Sridharan, Co-founder, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court were a Guest of Honour and a Key Note Speaker.

Many expert Speakers such as D.P. Nagendra Kumar, IRS (Retd.), former Member, GST, CBIC; K. Vaitheeswaran, Advocate and Tax Consultant, Puneet Bansal, Partner, PWC, LLP Dominic Mario Fernandes, Sr. Standing Council for CBIC, TG High Court; graced and spoke at the summit.

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Addressing over 250 attendees Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said the theme—“The Role of the Executive and Judiciary During Challenging Times in GST”—was both timely and of immense significance to India’s economic rejuvenation.

The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) marked a turning point in our fiscal history.

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It is more than just a tax reform—it is a unifying economic vision, one that aspires to fulfill the principle of “One Nation, One Tax,” enhancing ease of doing business, promoting transparency, and fostering cooperative federalism, he said.

Yet, like all bold reforms, GST has had to navigate through turbulent waters—especially during global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic shocks. These moments, Shri Varma said, test the strength of our institutions and demand agile responses from both the executive and the judiciary.

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Kautilya, the master strategist and economist, wrote in the Arthashastra, “Where justice is administered, there stands the foundation of Dharma and the strength of the king.” This wisdom remains deeply relevant today, he observed. The executive, comprising both central and state governments, shoulders the responsibility of implementing, amending, and refining GST laws, he added

Their role, the Governor added extends from policy formulation and compliance facilitation to revenue stabilization and providing industry support during crises. On the other hand, the judiciary safeguards the sanctity of the Constitution by interpreting tax laws, ensuring that governance is just and equitable, balancing the interests of the state and the citizen, and expediting the resolution of disputes.

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In times of uncertainty, seamless coordination between the executive and judiciary is essential. Policies must be adaptable, yet constitutionally sound. Judicial pronouncements must be economically informed, yet principled.

As Kautilya aptly observed, “The welfare of the people is the root of the State.” In the context of GST, this welfare lies in creating a system that is efficient, fair, and responsive. The Governor congratulated FTCCI for organizing the summit. Let this be not just a dialogue, but a beginning of collaborative action among all stakeholders—governments, professionals, the judiciary, and the industry, Shri Jishnu Dev said.

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As we continue to refine and strengthen the GST framework, let us be guided by the timeless wisdom of Kautilya, who reminds us: “A tax collector should collect taxes from a taxpayer just like a bee collects honey from a flower—in an expert manner, without disturbing its petals.”

This profound analogy underscores the essence of balanced taxation—efficient, non-intrusive, and sensitive to the economic ecosystem, he added. May our policies, enforcement, and adjudication reflect this spirit—ensuring that revenue generation goes hand in hand with fairness, dignity, and the encouragement of Industry., he concluded his address.

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Judiciary’s role is to give to the dealer(assessee) what he deserves and give to the government what they deserve, said Justice SVN Bhatti, Judge, Supreme Court of India.

V. Sridharan, Co-founder, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan Senior Advocate, Bombay High Court delivered a keynote address and interpreted laws and various judgements on the subject.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, K. Haritha, IAS, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Telangana appealed to all the tax payers to avail the one time interest and waiver scheme being offered by the Government by paying the tax demands by 31.03.2025.

Giving his opening remarks, Dr Suresh Kumar Singhal, President of FTCCI said, the role of the Executive in policy formulation and the Judiciary in ensuring fair interpretation of laws has been more crucial than ever.

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The Chairman of the GST and Customs Committee of FTCCI, Mr. Irshad Ahmed, said that there is an unsettling truth—certainty in taxation, which is the bedrock of economic stability. Such uncertainty is leading to the rise in compliance burden, the cost of litigation is escalating, and businesses are left operating in an environment of unpredictability. The GST framework must align with its original promise—a system that is transparent, predictable, and just. And we, as industry leaders, professionals, and advocates, must strive for a just, fair, and predictable tax regime. Only through such collective efforts can we ensure that GST remains a tool for progress rather than an instrument of uncertainty.

The Summit was aimed to bring together 250 plus eminent personalities from the executive, judiciary, and industry to deliberate on the critical role played by these pillars of governance in shaping the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, especially during times of economic and regulatory challenges.

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The GST Summit served as a thought-provoking platform to discuss the transformative role of the executive and judiciary in shaping and streamlining the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. This comprehensive program brought together policymakers, legal experts, tax professionals, and industry leaders to delve into critical issues, emerging challenges, and progressive solutions within the GST ecosystem.

The summit will have technical sessions and a panel discussion.

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