RAI CEO Kumar Rajagopalan Welcomes GST Reforms for Retail

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of the Retailers Association of India (RAI), has expressed strong support for the government’s proposed GST reforms, highlighting the potential benefits for consumers, businesses, and the economy.

“RAI welcomes this reform-oriented approach and believes that:

1. Reducing GST on everyday essentials and aspirational goods will make products more affordable, drive higher consumption, and support overall economic growth. We recommend that the tax rate on a single product should be standardized at one GST rate across all price points, regardless of the value per piece.

2. Simplifying the tax system into two main slabs will reduce complexity, improve compliance, and enhance ease of doing business.

3. Special rates for sin goods ensure that the reform balances affordability with revenue considerations.

4. ⁠RAI urges the Government to ensure that the new structure does not lead to inverted duty structures in certain product categories. A balanced and rational GST framework will help avoid supply chain inefficiencies and working capital blockages for businesses.”