Nagpur: Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, successfully concluded a two-day National Conference on “GST Reforms and Their Socio-Economic Impact: Exploring Digitalization, Compliance and Ease of Doing Business,” held on September 18–19, 2026.
The Inaugural Session was graced by Shri Sandeep Puri, Chief Commissioner, CGST, Customs and Central Excise, Nagpur Zone, Shri R.S. Arvindakshan, Additional Director General (Administration), National Academy of Direct Taxe, Dr. Vijay Pratap Tiwari, (I/C) Vice-Chancellor, Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur. Prof. (Dr.) Sukhvinder Singh Dari, Director, Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur and Convenor of the Conference, welcomed the dignitaries, while Dr. Tiwari spoke on India’s transition toward “One Nation, One Tax” within a cooperative-federalism framework. Shri Arvindakshan termed GST a “resounding success” in advancing formalisation and transparency in the economy. Shri. Sandeep Puri, addressed the audience on the multiple facets of GST law and its relationship with transparency and ease of doing business. Dr. Aarti Kalnawat, the Co-Convener of the conference, provided an overview of two days Programme schedule.
Gold Rate
Sept 17,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
The conference featured a plenary session on the legislative evolution and policy impact of GST, Moderated by Dr. Ahmar Afaq, the plenary session featured CA Saket Bagdia, Adv. Saurabh Malpani (Partner, Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Nagpur) and Adv. R. P. Tolani, former Vice President, ITAT.
Discussions ranged across the behavioural dimensions of tax compliance, the functioning of the GST Council and rate rationalisation, the limitations of the anti-profiteering framework, and the centrality of natural justice principles in quasi-judicial GST proceedings. The session concluded with an active question-and-answer exchange on issues such as portal failures, algorithmic transparency, and the continued exclusion of petroleum and electricity from the GST regime.
Panel Discussion — “Bridging Policy and Practice: Next Steps for GST 2.0” The panel discussion brought together Ms. Tejaswini Bhandarkar, Founder & Director of Teztech, Mr. Preetam Batra, Founding partner of Batra & Batra and Mr. Varun Vijaywargi, CA & Founder Partner, Vijaywargi, Khabiya & Saoji, who offered opening perspectives followed by a moderated discussion and an active audience question-and-answer segment. The panel engaged with the practical challenges of implementing GST 2.0 and the steps needed to bridge policy intent with on-ground practice, concluding with remarks from the panelists and a vote of thanks by the moderator. Dr. Anushree Mukte, moderated the session.
There were four technical sessions, spanning digitalisation and compliance, ease of doing business across sectors and regions, policy innovations having the Chair persons from across India Dr. R. Kavita Rao, Director, National Institute of Public Finance& Policy, New Delhi, Dr. Karun Sanjaya, Assistant Professor, Government Law College, Kozhikode, Kerala, Dr. Nilam Panchal, Prof. & Head of the Department, B K School of Management, Department of Public Policy, GujraUniversity, Ahmedabad and Dr. Shital Raut, Associate Dean, Information Technology: MIS, Network & Website, VNIT, Nagpur.
The Valedictory Session opened with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Sukhvinder Singh Dari, Convenor of the Conference and Director, Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur, followed by the Conference Report presented by Co-Convenor Prof. Jimmy Jose. Ms. Shalini Mandhana, Joint CFO, Solar Industries India Ltd., addressed the gathering, along with Shri. Julfesh Shah, COSIA, MSME, Vidarbha, Certificates were awarded to presenters and participants, and the session concluded with a vote of thanks by Co-Convenor Prof. Divya Rai, the National Anthem and a group photograph.
The two-day National Conference concluded on a highly successful note, with wide-ranging academic engagement across all sessions. We express our sincere gratitude to ICSSR for its valuable collaboration and support throughout the conference. A detailed conference report shall be forwarded in due course.
The conference reaffirmed Symbiosis Law School, Nagpur’s continued commitment to interdisciplinary research and academic engagement with contemporary issues in law, taxation and economic policy.
