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This indication came from
the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee who chaired
the meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance
Ministers here on Tuesday.
“As far dates (deadline for implementing GST) are
concerned we are working on it. The Union Budget 2007-08
announced that GST would be applicable by April 2010. As
a first step today, the Empowered Committee of the State
Finance Ministers has released the discussion paper.
There will be discussions and deliberations with the all
stakeholders. We will also look into it,” said Mukherjee,
who along with Asim Dasgupta, chairman of the empowered
panel, released the first discussion paper on GST.
“We will legislate and bring constitutional amendment
where it is required. To complete these processes (to
arrive at a GST that would benefit both Centre & States)
it would require time,” Mukherjee said to a question
whether the implementation is being pushed by a few
months time.
Dasgupta said issues raised by each State would be
resolved in a democratic manner.
“I remain confident about the target to be achieved.
When I say we are working at it, we are very serious.
Every State has to be accommodated in a democratic
manner. That is my responsibility,” Dasgupta told
reporters.
His remarks assume importance as states like Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are not in favour of
introducing the GST from April 1, 2010.
As per the discussion paper GST would not cover alcohol
products though tobacco products would be charged.
Significantly Crude oil, petrol and diesel products, the
Panel decided to keep it out of the GST’s ambit,
Dasgupta said.
Source :
Express
Buzz,
India,
dated
11/11/2009
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