Guv emphasizes on inclusive and sustainable development through Tax Reforms
2 min read
SHIMLA 27 Feb, 2026
· GST a milestone in cooperative federalism and economic justice
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, while addressing the inaugural session of a two-day International Conference themed “Tax Reforms in India: Challenges and Prospects,” sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) at Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla stated that tax policy plays a crucial role in mobilizing national resources for development, welfare and creation of infrastructure.
He remarked that an effective tax system forms the bedrock of economic justice, social inclusion and good governance, describing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a historic reform that unified India’s indirect tax regime and strengthened cooperative federalism. He stated that taxation was not merely a tool for revenue collection but a foundation of trust, accountability and transparency between the State and its citizens.
Tracing the evolution of India’s tax system since Independence, the Governor noted that major reforms, particularly after liberalization, aimed at simplifying and enhancing transparency in the tax framework. Schemes like “Vivad se Vishwas,” he said, reflected a participatory and trust-based approach to tax administration.
He underlined that tax reform is deeply linked with economics, governance and public policy and appreciated the active engagement of scholars and students in deliberating on these critical issues.
Referring to Acharya Chanakya’s Arthashastra, he said taxation should be just, balanced and welfare-oriented, ensuring that it promotes production and shared prosperity rather than burdening citizens. He described GST as a contemporary example of such balanced reform aimed at inclusive and sustainable development.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Priti Saxena welcomed the Governor and outlined the conference themes. Keynote speaker Prof. Nigam Nuggehalli, Professor and Registrar, NLSIU Bengaluru, emphasized the need for continuous adaptation of tax reforms like GST to evolving economic realities. Conference Convener Prof. Girijesh Shukla highlighted modernisation efforts, including digitisation and AI-driven analytics in tax administration, while Registrar Prof. Alok Kumar proposed the vote of thanks.
