New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday questioned the role of the GST council, asking whether it has been reduced to "formality" by citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's prior announcements regarding the tax reforms during his August 15 speech.

The Congress MP said that Union Finance Minister made major announcements following the GST council meeting; however, the decisions were proclaimed by PM Modi during his Independence Day speech.

"The Union Finance Minister has made major announcements last evening after the meeting of the GST Council, which is a constitutional body. However, even before the GST Council meeting, the Prime Minister had already proclaimed the substance of its decisions in his Independence Day sp...