Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Visit Assam in November

Upcoming Visit of Finance Minister to Assam

Guwahati, Oct 18: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to visit Assam on November 7 and 8.

This announcement followed a high-level meeting chaired by Sarma in Dispur, where preparations for the minister's visit were reviewed.

On social media, the Chief Minister shared that he had in-depth discussions regarding Sitharaman’s planned activities and instructed officials to ensure all arrangements are made efficiently and on schedule.

“I chaired a preparatory meeting in Dispur to assess the arrangements for the upcoming visit of Hon'ble Union Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to Assam on 7th and 8th November. I took a detailed review of the programmes and directed officials for timely coordination,” Sarma posted on a micro-blogging platform.

This will mark Sitharaman's second trip to the Northeast within four months. Previously, in July, she visited Meghalaya for four days, where she inaugurated the Northeast Conclave along with various development initiatives.

In related news, the Centre announced that the benefits from recent GST reductions, effective from September 22, have been made available to consumers during the festive season, as consumption plays a crucial role in economic growth.

During a press briefing, Finance Minister Sitharaman stated that the recent GST reforms have positively influenced consumption trends.

“The tax reductions are not limited to the festive season. These cuts will lead to increased collections, providing better fiscal space for further benefits. Demand is expected to remain strong even after the festive period,” she remarked.

She also noted that the GST dispute resolution mechanism has been functioning effectively.

Since the new reforms were implemented, the National Consumer Helpline has received 3,981 calls regarding GST-related issues as of October 2. Among these, 31% were general inquiries, while 69% were formal complaints requiring further action.

Of the grievances reported, 1,992 have been sent to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) for resolution, and 761 were referred in real-time to the relevant companies for direct handling.

According to the Finance Minister, many complaints stem from a misunderstanding of GST cuts by consumers versus their actual application.

Regarding sectoral impacts, Sitharaman mentioned that the GST reductions on pharmaceuticals and related equipment are being closely monitored to ensure consumers benefit from these changes.

“The automobile industry has responded positively to the GST cuts, resulting in increased sales,” she added.