On the first day of two day meeting in Kolkata, the Empowered committee of state finance ministers on Goods and Services Tax Bill (GST) has arrived at an agreement that there would be no constitutional cap on the final GST rate. Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley said that it is left for the judgment of the GST council since there may be need to increase rates at times of a disaster. He also said that “As far as 1 percent additional tax for first 3 years is concerned, I have made it clear that I am flexible on that issue.”
Jaitley further said that there was complete consensus on the issue of GST. However, there was no agreement on what will be the revenue neutral rate under GST and the issue of outlining the dual control mechanism. Both these issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the empowered committee which will be held in July by the Empowered Committee. Jaitley also said that though all the states agreed on the idea of GST, Tamil Nadu has expressed some reservations.
A cap on rate to be included in the Constitution Amendment Bill, which is stuck in Rajya Sabha, has been one of the main demands of the Congress. As the Congress has given its support to the Bill, thereby easing the way for GST passage, India is moving closer to becoming one big market with GST, the biggest tax reform of the country. The Centre is planning to roll out the indirect tax from the next financial year beginning 1 April 2017.
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