Centre asks states to name members to GST Council: Hasmukh Adhia

The first meeting of the Council is expected to take place on September 22-23, as govt targets April 2017 for GST rollout

After the cabinet nod on Monday to set up the GST Council, revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia said that the government has written to states to nominate members to the decision making body for the uniform indirect tax expected to be rolled out from April 1 next fiscal. 

The first meeting of the Council is expected to take place on September 22-23. 

"Chief secretaries have been asked to nominate any one state minister to the Council... We are so far ahead of time schedule in implementing GST," said Adhia.
 

 

The GST Council, chaired by finance minister with minister of state (finance) and state finance ministers as members will decide, among other things, the goods and services tax (GST) rate and prepare a model Bill for implementation of the new tax regime.

The central board of excise and customs chairperson will be a permanent invitee for GST meets, but without voting power in the Council.

The government has given a two-month time limit for discussion on major aspects of GST. 

The body headed by FM Arun Jaitley will have to decide on three key issues- rates, dual control and geographical exemptions.
 

The Council will have one additional secretary and four commissioners for GST. 

Although the government is targeting April 1 rollout, the industry is seeking more time to prepare for the switch to the new indirect tax regime. 

However Adhia pointed out that the industry was yet to formally request a delay of GST launch.

He said the information technology infrastructure was well on track for GST rollout. 

While GST Network (GSTN) through Infosys is working on the front end IT infrastructure, the CBEC has given contract to Wipro to develop back end IT infra.