Confident of introducing GST by April 1 '11: Dasgupta  

The empowered committee of states today exuded confidence that Goods and Services Tax (GST), proposed to replace most indirect taxes in the country, will be implemented from next fiscal, a new deadline after earlier target was missed.

"That is our target and we will make all efforts to meet the target... We are confident," committee Chairman Asim Dasgupta told reporters after meeting Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The earlier deadline of introducing GST by this fiscal could not be adhered to after the states and the Centre could not agree to its structure.

While states propose two main rates for goods and one rate for services, the Centre pitched for one rate for goods and services.

In the Budget, Mukherjee had also said, "It will be my earnest endeavour to introduce GST along with DTC in April, 2011.

Source: Press Trust of India, India, dated 14/05/2010