With reference to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, consider the following statements: 1. Union Finance Minister serves as the Chairperson of the Council. 2. Each member has equal voting rights in the Council. 3. A simple majority is required for making decisions in the Council. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct? |ForumIAS

Q. With reference to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, consider the following statements:
1.Union Finance Minister serves as the Chairperson of the Council.
2.Each member has equal voting rights in the Council.
3.A simple majority is required for making decisions in the Council.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 1 and 2 only

[C] 2 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanations –

Statement 1 is correct. The Union Finance Minister is the Chairperson of the GST Council.

Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect. The voting rights in the GST Council are not equal among members. The central government’s vote has a weightage of one-third, while the combined votes of all state governments have a weightage of two-thirds. Decisions in the GST Council require a majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting.

Source: The Hindu

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS