In an exclusive India Today interview, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman details the next-generation GST reforms, including rate reductions on over 300 goods and services. The discussion emphasizes benefits for the common person and middle class, targeting essentials. Sitharaman addresses the government's commitment to ensuring these benefits reach the final consumer and outlines monitoring mechanisms. The interview covers the rationale for not bringing petrol and diesel under the GST ambit, a decision pending with the GST Council and states. The Finance Minister also discusses the strategy to manage an expected revenue shortfall of approximately ₹40,000 crores, expressing confidence in buoyancy from lower rates on daily use items. Topics include simplifying tax compliance for small businesses, addressing Input Tax Credit (ITC) issues, and resolving classification disputes. The readiness of IT systems and the operational status of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) are also covered. Citizen and industry questions from across the country, including those on tax relief for medicines, states' revenue compensation, and taxation of educational services, are addressed. Sitharaman highlights the government's philosophy of prioritizing citizen respite, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.