GST roll-out likely from April 2011: Dasgupta     

“Yes, rolling out GST by April 2011 is the target. I am fully confident. I think we will be able to meet this with the co-operation of the Centre,” he said.

Implementation of the new tax regime, which proposes to replace various levies like excise duty, service tax, state sales tax, special additional duty and countervailing duty, has already missed April 1, 2010 deadline.

On the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission, Dasgupta said, “we have prepared a point on point response to the observations of the commission which would be made public after the next meeting.”

The commission had asked the Centre to keep aside Rs 50,000 crore to compensate the states for tax losses arising from GST rollout. Vijay Kelkar, who headed the commission, had reportedly said compensation amount could be raised further, if needed.

Source: Deccan Herald, India, dated 08/04/2010