The idea of moving towards GST was first mooted by the then Union Finance Minister in his Budget speech for 2006-07. Initially, it was proposed that GST would be introduced from 1st April 2010.The Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers (EC) which had formulated the design of State VcAT was requested to come up with a roadmap and structure for GST. Joint Working Groups of officials having representatives of the States as well as the Centre were set up to examine various aspects of GST and draw up reports specifically on exemptions and thresholds, taxation of services and taxation of inter-State supplies. Based on discussions within and between it and the Central Government, the EC released its First Discussion Paper (FDP) on the GST in November, 2009. This spelt out features of the proposed GST and has formed the basis for discussion between the Centre and the States so far.
The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a very significant step in the field of indirect tax reforms in India. By amalgamating a large number of Central and State taxes into a single tax, GST will mitigate ill effects of cascading or double taxation in a major way and pave the way for a common national market. From the consumers point of view, the biggest advantage would be in terms of reduction in the overall tax burden on goods, which is currently estimated to be around 25%-30%. It would also imply that the actual burden of indirect taxes on goods and services would be much more transparent to the consumer. Introduction of GST would also make Indian products competitive in the domestic and international markets owing to the full neutralization of input taxes across the value chain of production and distribution. Studies show that this would have a boosting impact on economic growth. Last but not the least, this tax, because of its transparent and self-policing character, would be easier to administer. It would also encourage a shift from the informal to formal economy. The government proposes to in
troduce GST with effect from 1st July 2017.
The assignment of concurrent jurisdiction to the Centre and the States for the levy of GST required a unique institutional mechanism that would ensure that decisions about the structure, design and operation of GST are taken jointly by the two. To address all these and other issues, the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill was introduced in the 16th Lok Sabha on 19.12.2014. The Bill provides for a levy of GST on supply of all goods or services except alcohol for human consumption. The tax shall be levied as Dual GST separately, but concurrently the Union (CGST) and the States (SGST). The Parliament would have exclusive power to levy GST (IGST) on inter state trade or commerce (including imports) in goods and services. The Central Government will have the power to levy excise duty in addition to GST, on tobacco and tobacco products.
The constitution Amendment Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in May, 2015. The Bill with certain amendments was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha and thereafter by the Lok Sabha in August, 2016. Further, the Bill has been ratified by the required number of States and has since received the assent of the President on 8th September,2016 and has been enacted as the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, 2016. The GST Council has also been notified w.e.f. 12th September,2016. GST Council is being assisted by a Secretariat.
The Goods and Service Tax Council (hereinafter referred to as, “GSTC”) comprises of the Union Finance Minister, the Minister of State(Revenue) and the State Finance Ministers to recommend on the GST rate, exemption and thresholds, taxes to be subsumed and other matters. One-half of the total number of members of GSTC form quorum in meetings of GSTC. Decision in GSTC are taken by a majority of not less than three-fourth of weighted votes cast. Centre has one-third weightage of the total votes cast and all the states taken together have two-third of weightage of the total votes cast.
All decisions taken by the GST Council has been arrived at through consensus. The option of exercising a vote has not been resorted to till date.
To ensure smooth roll-out of the GST, various Committees and Sectoral groups has been formed comprising of members from both Centre and States.
Salient features of GST
The salient features of GST are as under:
- (i)GST is applicable on ‘supply’ of goods or services as against the present concept on the manufacture of goods or on sale of goods or on provision of services.
- (ii) GST is based on the principle of destination-based consumption taxation as against the present principle of origin-based taxation.
- (iii) It is a dual GST with the Centre and the States simultaneously levying tax on a common base. GST to be levied by the Centre would be called Central GST(CGST) and that to be levied by the States would be called State GST (SGST).
- (iv) An Integrated GST (IGST) would be levied an inter-state supply (including stock transfers) of goods or services. This shall be levied and collected by the Government of India and such tax shall be apportioned between the Union and the States in the manner as may be provided by Parliament by Law on the recommendation of the GST Council
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- i) State cesses and surcharges in so far as they relate to supply of goods and services.
