VAT panel to meet in Kashmir on June 15

State Finance Ministers are to meet in Jammu and Kashmir on June 15 to take forward the discussions on the introduction of goods and services tax (GST) and also review the VAT implementation in the country.

The Central Government has already announced its intent to introduce GST by April 2010.

The forthcoming meeting of State Finance Ministers, under the aegis of the Empowered Committee on VAT, assumes importance, as it would be the first after the study tour undertaken by the VAT panel recently.

The VAT panel had toured several federal countries where GST has been implemented to gain better understanding of the various GST models.

A joint working group comprising the Centre and State Government officials has also been set up to recommend an appropriate GST model for the consideration of the Empowered Committee.