Prepare urban, rural bodies for GST compliance: Mukul Asher

He says it is remarkable that a consensus has been reached between central govt and 29 states

Mukul G Asher, professorial fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and chairman, 5th State Finance Commission Haryana, has set up base in Delhi until July to get a first-hand feel of the switchover to the new indirect tax regime. Asher discusses with Sudipto Dey the public policy implications of the reform, the need for state governments to keep a close tab on supply of essential commodities and assess the impact on finances of urban and local bodies. Edited excerpts:

Do you share the apprehension around state of preparedness of industry