GST: No possibility of power tariff hike after roll-out, says Piyush Goyal

Says that he just sees 1 or 2 paise variation on per unit electricity price

Power Minister Piyush Goyal sees no possibility of an increase in power tariff across the country post goods and services tax (GST) roll-out, saying industry associations have not sought its deferment.

GST, which is set for July 1 kick-off, will usher in a new system under which there will be one tax on commodities and services across the country.

"I don't see any possibility of [a] spike in power tariff due to [the] implementation of GST. There could be one or two paise variation (per unit of electricity)," Goyal told reporters after his meeting with the industry covering power, coal, mines and renewable energy sectors.

Goyal added that there are a couple of issues raised, which will be put forth at the next meeting of the GST Council. One of them pertains to the issue of tax on a product made up of fly ash, a by-product at coal-based thermal power plants.

The industry association, Goyal said, has not sought postponement of the GST implementation and all are content with the new framework.

The power ministry will make an analysis on the basis of tax collection before and after implementation of GST to find out if the new tax rates are "inordinately" high or not.