Govt to resolve issues hampering GST roll out within this year

Government is aiming to resolve the issues hampering GST roll out within this year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.  

"The government targets to find a solution in the course of this year and approve the legislative scheme which enables the introduction of GST (Goods and Services Tax)," he said during Question Hour.   

Asserting that government is "willing to take a pragmatic view", Jaitley said it does not want a "token GST, but a substantial GST... There should be consensus (with states)".   

He assured the House that no decision on GST introduction will be taken without consulting the states.  

"Government has also assured states that it will compensate for any revenue loss incurred by them, from the date of introduction of GST, for a period of three years," he said.    

Referring to GST implementation, Jaitley said, "Time has come for pragmatic approach...one or two exceptions the government can consider."    

"If too many taxes are excluded, the objectives of GST will not succeed...It (GST) is a good cause that everybody fall in line," he noted.    

The Finance Minister said various issues such as compensation to states, rate of taxation and possible exemptions are all on the drawing board.    

"States' concerns with regard to the GST mainly relate to loss of revenue, fiscal autonomy, compensation, keeping certain items out of GST, subsuming of certain taxes in GST etc," Jaitley said.    

"Certain states may face problems in initial stages of GST implementation...Those will be discussed," he said.       

According to the Minister, GST proposals would help in spurring growth and employment.