MUMBAI: Lauding the progress achieved so far on GST implementation, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today exuded confidence that it is “reasonably possible” to meet the April 1 deadline to roll out the new indirect tax regime.
“There has hardly been an opportunity, in fact there has been none, where I’ve seen state finance ministers dividing themselves on party lines (as on GST). If this trend goes on, I am quite certain, it may be reasonably possible for us to meet the deadline (April 1, 2017), however difficult it may be,” Jaitley told SBI Economic Conclave here this evening.
Noting that states have realised the importance of competitiveness and attracting investments, Jaitley said getting the GST through was “troublesome” as it involved completely changing the powers of the Union and the states.
“It required consensus building so that we had shared sovereignty,” he observed adding “GST progress showed that we have the stamina for reforms”. (AGENCIES)
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