The Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) organized a landmark seminar on the newly announced GST 2.0 Reforms on 8th September 2025 at the Surendrababu Timblo Convention Hall in Panaji, Goa. The event was held in the backdrop of major tax reform decisions taken during the GST Council meeting on 3rd September 2025. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, was the Chief Guest for the seminar, while Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, Commissioner of SGST Goa, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
In her welcome address, GCCI President Mrs. Pratima Dhond termed the reforms as a momentous step for India’s indirect tax landscape. She highlighted the shift to a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18%, with a special 40% slab for luxury and sin goods. These changes, she noted, would stabilise tax administration, encourage compliance, and reduce litigation. The rollout of the long-awaited GST Appellate Tribunal was also cited as a significant step toward improving trust and ease of doing business.
Mrs. Dhond emphasized the wide-ranging benefits of the reforms: reduced compliance burdens for MSMEs, lower tax on essential goods for households, affordability in healthcare and insurance, and sectoral relief for farmers and artisans. She praised the government’s balanced approach to revenue while promoting inclusive economic growth.
GCCI’s Honorary Secretary, CA Rohan Bhandare, opened the session by underlining the historic nature of the reforms. He noted the symbolic significance of 3rd September 2025—not only as the day GST 2.0 was announced but also GCCI’s 118th Foundation Day. He acknowledged that many of the reforms aligned with GCCI’s long-standing recommendations, while urging adequate support during the transition given the tight implementation timeline.
Guest of Honour Shri Sarpreet Singh Gill, IAS, highlighted the contribution of Goa’s Chief Minister in building consensus at the GST Council. He praised Dr. Sawant for his proactive leadership in both GST and VAT reform deliberations.
In his keynote address, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant outlined the core decisions under GST 2.0. These included 90% upfront refunds for exports and inverted duty structures, simplified registration processes for small and e-commerce businesses, and the establishment of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT). He stressed that these reforms were designed to support MSMEs, exporters, and sectors like tourism and agriculture, which are crucial to Goa’s economy.
Dr. Sawant encouraged businesses and professionals to proactively transition to the new framework by updating systems, revising contracts, and aligning with compliance requirements. He reaffirmed the Goa government’s commitment to supporting industry through the transition and congratulated GCCI for its role in policy advocacy and thought leadership.
To commemorate the dual milestone of GCCI’s Foundation Day and GST 2.0, a special brochure titled “A Historic Convergence on 3rd September 2025” was unveiled by the Chief Minister.
The seminar concluded with a technical session. CA Gaurav Kenkre presented an overview of GST 2.0 proposals, followed by a panel discussion featuring Mr. Vishant Gaunekar, Additional Commissioner SGST Goa, and CA Gaurav Kenkre, moderated by CA Yatish Pai Vernekar, Co-chair of the Taxation & Financial Services Committee. The panel addressed emerging compliance issues, passing on rate reduction benefits, transitioning to the non-ITC regime, and key action points for industry.
An engaging Q&A session followed, allowing participants to gain deeper insights. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by CA Atindra Prabhu Bhatikar, with the event coordinated by Shri Kiran Ballikar, Director, GCCI.
This seminar marked a pivotal moment for Goa’s trade and business community, as it aligns with national reforms and reaffirms GCCI’s 118-year legacy of driving growth and advocacy.
