Participants of ICSSR sponsored seminar on GST at SPMVV campus in Tirupati on Friday. | Photo credit: KV POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
Speakers at a workshop on Friday (February 13, 2026) on “Socio-Economic Impact of GST Implementation and Reforms on Consumption Pattern of Middle and Neo-Middle Classes with a Gender Perspective” shed light on the importance of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in improving the lives of the middle classes, especially women.
Organized jointly by the Women’s Studies Department of Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) and the New Delhi-based Center for Women’s Development Studies, the capacity building workshop brought together people from various walks of life such as economists, accountants, entrepreneurs, tax experts and academics.
CGST & Customs Commissioner (Tirupati) Satish Dhavale shared how GST has streamlined indirect taxation, improved transparency, broadened the tax base and also strengthened compliance mechanisms.
Similarly, GST 2.0 has led to rationalization of tax rates, which has led to lower taxes and indirectly improved savings. “This has increased purchasing power, which has benefited middle and neo-middle class households,” Dhavale noted.
SPMVV Registrar R. Usha said such policy-oriented academic programs will help young researchers in areas such as taxation and public policy to gain real-time insight into economic developments.
G. Ramamani, Deputy Commissioner, Central Tax & Customs, explained the practical aspects of GST implementation and its impact on small businesses and women entrepreneurs. A. Parthasaradhi, Chairman, ICMAI, Tirupati, spoke on consumption patterns under GST 2.0, distributional effects and role of women in spending decisions.
Retired SVU Professor of Economics D. Krishnamoorthy, Chartered Accountants MC Venkatanath and Bhagya Teja, SPMVV Assistant Professor of Law G. Indira Priyadarshini, Entrepreneur C. Komala, Author SV Bharathi discussed industry perspectives, MSME experiences and legal aspects.
P. Neeraja of SPMVV and representative of CWDS Vandana acted as coordinators of the event.
Published – 13 Feb 2026 20:56 IST