Finance Minister Criticizes Paper Mills for Non-Compliance with NIL GST Rate, Urges Policy Enforcement

In a pivotal meeting held on October 21, 2025, the Finance Minister responded to concerns from notebook manufacturers about the unwillingness of domestic paper mills to supply at the NIL GST rate, despite recent tax reforms that set notebooks for students at 0% GST. The Minister, guided by industry leader Mr. Anuj Jain and accompanied by other notable stakeholders, advised direct negotiation with paper mills and reiterated the importance of adhering to government policies. She noted the government’s active monitoring of mill pricing, highlighted that notebooks would remain under the NIL GST bracket, and underscored the need for policy alignment to benefit students. Industry voices like JK Paper’s A S Mehta cautioned that zero GST does not guarantee lower prices, citing input tax credit issues. The session concluded with calls for unity, real enforcement, and optimism about further policy improvements supporting MSMEs.