New Delhi, July 07: Due to "differences" on the Goods
and Service Tax (GST) some states may refrain from joining the
new indirect tax system right from the beginning on the
proposed date of April 1, 2010, Finance Minister Pranab
Mukherjee said on Tuesday.
When VAT was introduced some states had not introduced it
initially but later they went for it, he said at his customary
interaction with industry chambers after presenting Budget.
"...it may happen in this case (GST). I cannot rule out
that possibility but I want each and every one to join,"
Mukherjee said, adding that the Centre was trying to persuade
all the states to introduce GST from April 2010.
In his Budget speech yesterday, he had said the
government was committed to introduce GST from next fiscal
after consultation with states.
Earlier, Mukherjee had held discussions on the GST with
the state finance ministers.
"I had a meeting with state finance ministers... there
are differences no doubt," he said.
However, he expressed hope that all states would opt for
the GST, the Finance Minister said there was convergence of
ideas on issues related to larger national interest.
Meanwhile, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek
Singh Ahluwalia told a private news channel that GST is a
complex issue and "I dont think it is end of the world" if it
gets delayed by few months.
Bureau Report
