New Delhi, Oct. 9 -- Data shows that India's GST rate cuts of September 2025 served as a consumption stimulus. Reforms approved by the GST Council on Thursday covering procedural aspects of GST 2.0 could give production a push.

Apart from making it easier to register for this tax, offering a breather on being arrested for misdeeds and easing penalties, the package promises taxpayers faster approval of claims, among other benefits. The broad aim is to ease procedures and hence compliance.

While the regime has matured and revenues have stabilized, it had gained much complexity along the way. A common taxpayer complaint among businesses has been how long it takes to get refunds, as often due for input tax credit pile-ups. Delays needlessly...