Perhaps, for the first time in Indian history, we have a situation that the Union Budget is presented and passed by both the houses of the Parliament in less than a month. Not only this, that too in the current financial year itself. Thanks to virtually no debate in the house even on crucial proposals impacting economy and growth of nation and thanks to the democratic country we are. Simply because there are elections in few states in May / June, we had to cut short the economic agenda of Parliament and made budget a not so important event.

Though the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill has been tabled in the Lok Sabha, the Gujarat government today said in the state Assembly that it was not ready to implement it. Minister of State for Industries, Saurabh Patel, told the House that state government was not prepared to implement GST as it would take away state’s autonomy in taxation and inflict revenue-loss of over Rs 3,000 crore.

The finance minister retained most of his other proposals, providing only marginal relief to industries such as automobiles, garments, personal computers and printers. On direct taxes, the biggest concession was in the norms for a concessional 15% tax on dividends received from overseas subsidiaries. As against the minimum 50% India holding in such subsidiaries to be eligible for the tax sop, the finance minister has suggested a lower threshold of 26%, benefiting several firms with overseas joint ventures.

The government today introduced a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha with a view to create a common market for goods and services and replace the existing indirect taxation regime with a uniform Goods and Services Tax (GST) system.

The government today hoped rollout of Direct Tax Code by April 2012 but things are not on track in case of Goods and Services Tax (GST). “DTC will be rolled out in April 2012 but for GST I think the date seems ‘optimistic’ under the present circumstances,” Revenue Secretary Sunil Mitra said.

The government is likely to table the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitution Amendment Bill before Parliament in the next 4-5 days, said a senior official. “The Cabinet has cleared that proposal (on GST). In another 4-5 days we should be able to put it in Parliament,” Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) Chairman SD Majumder told reporters at a PHD Chamber event.

Union Budget 2011-12 estimates to make net revenue gain of Rs. 4000 crore for the year by way of new Service Tax proposals. In keeping with thrust to encourage voluntary compliance, the penal provisions of Service Tax are under the process of rationalization. This will ensure less harsh treatment to those who have maintained truthful records but fallen short of discharging their tax liability.

Presenting the Budget 2011-12 in the Parliament today, the Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee stressed that introduction of Direct Taxes Code (DTC) and Goods & Services Tax (GST) will result in moderation of rates, simplification of laws and better compliance. He said DTC will be finalized for enactment during next financial year. The DTC Bill that was introduced in the Parliament in August 2010 is before the Standing Committee.

IT Initiatives: Mission mode Projects to help States to align with the Roll out of GST; funds Released for 31 Such Projects. Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has stressed on the importance of computerization of Commercial Taxes. While presenting the Union Budget 2011-12 in Lok Sabha he said that Mission Mode Projects for computerization of Commercial Taxes in States will allow States to align with the roll out of GST.

With consensus still eluding the proposed Goods and Services Tax regime, the Centre may call for another meeting with state finance ministers next month, before introducing the Constitutional Amendment Bill to pave the way for rolling out GST.