Shiv Pratap Shukla, minister of state for finance, has said that the central government would positively consider proposals by state governments to bring petrol and diesel under the purview of goods and services tax (GST).
Shukla, while speaking in Pune on Friday, clarified that bringing fuel under GST would not facilitate uniform fuel prices across the country. He further added that the prices will most likely be reduced, if the move goes through. His remarks come against the backdrop of Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’s statement that petrol and diesel prices will come down once the Centre builds a consensus to bring them under the goods and services tax (GST).
Shukla shared his views during an interaction with the media, organised at Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), on Friday. He spoke about recent developments in GST and income tax during the programme.
Speaking on the occasion Shukla said, “State governments have been informed that the government will react positively if they wish to bring petrol and diesel under GST. We had taken up the issue with all state governments at GST council, encouraging them to consider it. However, it should be understood that bringing fuel under GST would not make the rates of petrol and diesel uniform as several other taxes get added to it in every state."
On the occasion, Vinodanand Jha, principal chief commissioner, income tax department, Pune, said that in 2017-2018, Pune, for the first time, crossed the ₹50,000 crore mark in direct tax collection. He informed that in 2017-18, the direct tax collection was ₹51, 609 crore and that Pune ranks fifth in terms of revenue in cities across the state. Jha said that tax collection has increased by 20 percent when compared to the previous financial year.
{{/usCountry}}On the occasion, Vinodanand Jha, principal chief commissioner, income tax department, Pune, said that in 2017-2018, Pune, for the first time, crossed the ₹50,000 crore mark in direct tax collection. He informed that in 2017-18, the direct tax collection was ₹51, 609 crore and that Pune ranks fifth in terms of revenue in cities across the state. Jha said that tax collection has increased by 20 percent when compared to the previous financial year.
{{/usCountry}}Also present on the occasion were Pramod Chaudhari, president of MCCIA; Amar Sable, MP, Rajya Sabha; Anil Shirole, MP Lok Sabha and AK Pandey, principal chief commissioner of GST.