Despite differences between states over GST draft, govt hopeful of rolling out GST on April 1

The crucial meeting of the GST Council on Friday and Saturday ended without states reaching any consensus. The Council is slated to meet again on December 11 and 12 amid hopes of rolling out GST on April 1.

New Delhi: The statement between states on administrative powers under the GST, and differences on compensation laws continued in the crucial meeting of the GST Council on Friday and Saturday. The Council is slated to meet again on December 11 and 12.

“Next GST Council meeting to discuss cross empowerment as well as GST laws and compensation law”, said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. “Discussions on dual control of assessees remain inconclusive. They will be carried forward in the next GST Council meeting, added Jaitley.

The Finance Minister expressed optimism on the rollout date and said, “We are still targeting April 1, 2017 for roll out of GST”.

The draft CGST and SGST laws were discussed in the meeting, though approval will take some time, said the Finance Minister.

The meet was postponed to December 2-3 from November 25 as some states sought changes to the draft circulated by the Centre.

Finance Minister on Friday had said that that rolling out GST before September 16 has become a constitutional necessity as states will not be able to collect their share of taxes henceforth, there is no scope to delay the decision any further.

“The Constitution does not permit delay in GST implementation. The government notified GST on September 16 and the constitutional amendment itself says the current indirect tax system can continue for one year, after which the GST has to come, said Jaitley.” "So, if as on September 16, 2017, there is no GST, then there is no taxation in the country, he added.