In the decision-making process of the GST Council, how is the voting power distributed between the Central Government and the State Governments?

Options / विकल्प

A. States alone = 1, Centre = 0
B. Centre = 1/2, States = 1/2
C. Centre = 2/3, States = 1/3
D. Centre = 1/3, States = 2/3

Correct Answer / सही उत्तर

✅ D. Centre = 1/3, States = 2/3

Detailed Explanation / विस्तृत व्याख्या

GST Council Voting Structure

Hindi

जीएसटी परिषद (GST Council) का गठन अनुच्छेद 279A के तहत किया गया है। यह भारत में वस्तु एवं सेवा कर (GST) से संबंधित महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लेने वाली सर्वोच्च संस्था है।

GST Council में मतदान शक्ति (Voting Power) का वितरण इस प्रकार है:

• केंद्र सरकार (Central Government) = 1/3 (एक-तिहाई)
• सभी राज्य सरकारें मिलकर = 2/3 (दो-तिहाई)

किसी भी निर्णय को पारित करने के लिए उपस्थित और मतदान करने वाले सदस्यों के कम से कम 75% भारित मत (Weighted Votes) आवश्यक होते हैं।

English

The GST Council was established under Article 279A of the Constitution.

The voting weight is distributed as:

• Central Government = 1/3 of total votes
• All State Governments together = 2/3 of total votes

A decision requires a 75% majority of weighted votes of members present and voting.

Why is this Arrangement Important?

Hindi

यह व्यवस्था सहकारी संघवाद (Cooperative Federalism) को बढ़ावा देती है। न तो केंद्र सरकार अकेले निर्णय ले सकती है और न ही राज्य सरकारें अकेले कोई प्रस्ताव पारित कर सकती हैं।

English

This structure promotes Cooperative Federalism. Neither the Centre nor the States can dominate the decision-making process independently.

GST Council Composition

Chairperson

• Union Finance Minister

Members

• Union Minister of State (Finance/Revenue)
• Finance Ministers or Taxation Ministers of all States and Union Territories with legislature

Constitutional Provision

Article 279A

Provides for:

• Establishment of GST Council
• Composition of Council
• Powers and Functions
• Voting Mechanism

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

A. States alone = 1, Centre = 0

❌ Incorrect. The Centre has one-third voting weight.

B. Centre = 1/2, States = 1/2

❌ Incorrect. The Constitution specifically provides a 1/3–2/3 distribution.

C. Centre = 2/3, States = 1/3

❌ Incorrect. This would give excessive dominance to the Centre.

Exam Facts / परीक्षा हेतु महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य

• Article 279A → GST Council
• Centre Voting Weight → 1/3
• States Voting Weight → 2/3
• Decision Requirement → 75% weighted majority
• Chairperson → Union Finance Minister

One-Liner

In the GST Council, the Central Government has one-third voting power, while all State Governments together have two-thirds voting power.

GST परिषद में केंद्र सरकार के पास 1/3 तथा सभी राज्यों के पास मिलकर 2/3 मतदान शक्ति होती है।