Joint panels to be set up in states for input on GST     

The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers will form joint committees at the level of the states for inputs on the proposed goods and services tax (GST) before its planned introduction next year.

"A Joint committee at the level of the states will be made and that will be a part of the exercise for preparation to implement GST. The committee will be made along with other representatives of state associations and industry associations," Chairman of the empowered Committee Asim Dasgupta told reporters after a meeting with the Confederation of All India Traders here.

Traders want GST to be imposed only by the states with the centre getting a cut of the revenue.

The Empowered Committee recently came out with its first discussion paper on GST, on which stakeholders need to give comments and suggestion within a month.

Dasgupta said the IT structure also needs to be ready by mid-January for implementing the proposed indirect tax structure.