(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce Goods and Services
Tax (GST) from April, 2010 onwards all over the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether certain States have expressed their
inability to introduce it from the year 2010;
(d) if so, the names of these States; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to remove
the obstacles coming in the way of its implementation?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir, The budget speech of 2006-07 contained a proposal to introduce Goods and
Services Tax (GST) with effect from April 01, 2010. It has been reiterated in the Budget speech
of 2009-10, that the process of smooth introduction of GST with effect from April 01,2010 would
be accelerated.
(c) & (d): Government of Tamil Nadu have communicated to the Central Government certain
concerns related to the implementation of the proposed GST in the country from the next
year. Their main concerns are for having a GST design that is not regressive, is aligned
to federal principles of our Constitution, protects revenue interests of the States and
the Centre, and does not impose additional compliance burden on small and medium enterprises.
They have also advised adoption of an implementation schedule for GST that permits requisite
capacity building.
(e): Empowered Committee of State Finance Minister meets regularly
to evolve consensus among States on the various issues involved.