Chidambaram to meet state finance ministers on GST rollout

12 Feb 2013 Evaluate

To seek State Finance Ministers approval on design of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram will meet the ministers on February 14, so that a broad outline of the indirect tax regime can be included in the 2013-14 Budget, which is scheduled to be presented on February 28. For FY14 budget, finance minister is expected to recommend certain changes in the GST Bill to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance.

Last month, the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers had reached a broad consensus on the design of GST, under which the states will be free to decide on the time of its introduction. Further, the committee also decided to suggest the finance ministry for incorporating the provisions to allow the states to opt out of the GST fold and thereby, making it optional. Moreover, states had also agreed to a lower payment of Rs 34,000 crore for phasing out the Central Sales Tax, a pre-condition for rollout of the GST.

The committee has also agreed for a single rate of GST and there would be a floor rate with a band, giving freedom to states to fix their own rates. The government is also expected to firm up the indirect tax proposals for the coming budget on February 14 meeting.

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