Convergence among states on GST soon: Dasgupta
By IANSFriday, October 8, 2010
KOLKATA - Differences among various states over the proposed goods and services tax (GST) are narrowing down and they are very close to a convergence point, Asim Dasgupta, chairman of the empowered committee of state finance ministers on the key indirect tax reform, said Friday.
“We will reach a convergence point very soon. Differences are narrowing down. We are trying hard to reach a convergence,” the West Bengal finance minister said, addressing an interactive session organised by the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce here.
The committee is yet to reach a convergence on two issues — GST-related Dispute Settlement Mechanism and GST Council constitution.
If the convergence is achieved, the bill would be tabled in the winter session of Parliament.
The next meeting of the Committee would be held on Oct 30.
The GST aims at creating a seamless pan-India market by replacing a number of levies at the national and state levels by a single tax. Its roll-out has already missed a deadline of April 1, 2010.
