The 50th GST Council meeting was held on July 11, 2023, in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

The 50th GST Council meeting was held on July 11, 2023, in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman.

The meeting discussed a number of issues related to the performance of the GST in India. Some of the key demerits and merits of the GST are as follows:

**Demerits**

* The GST has been criticized for its complex structure. The tax is levied at multiple rates, and there are a number of exemptions and deductions that can be claimed. This can make it difficult for businesses to understand and comply with the GST.

* The GST has also been criticized for its high compliance costs. Businesses need to register with the GST authorities, and they need to file returns on a monthly basis. This can be a time-consuming and expensive process.

* The GST has not been as successful in reducing tax evasion as was hoped. There have been reports of businesses under-reporting their sales and evading taxes.

**Merits**

* The GST has been credited with simplifying the tax system in India. The old system of multiple taxes was replaced by a single tax, which has made it easier for businesses to comply with the law.

* The GST has also been credited with increasing tax revenue. The government has collected more tax revenue since the introduction of the GST than it did under the old system.

* The GST has also been credited with boosting economic growth. The government has claimed that the GST has helped to create jobs and boost investment.

**Demands and updates**

The GST Council meeting also discussed a number of demands from businesses and industries. Some of the key demands included:

* A reduction in the number of tax rates.

* A simplification of the GST return filing process.

* A reduction in the compliance costs associated with the GST.

* A more effective system for preventing tax evasion.

The GST Council is expected to consider these demands in the coming months. The Council is also expected to make further updates to the GST, such as introducing new tax rates and expanding the scope of the tax.

Overall, the GST has been a mixed bag. It has simplified the tax system and increased tax revenue, but it has also been criticized for its complexity and high compliance costs. The GST Council is expected to make further changes to the GST in the coming months, and it will be interesting to see how these changes affect the performance of the tax.