To discuss the problems of dual control, Goods and Services Tax (GST) network, status of VAT and non-VAT revenue and assessment of VAT rates, a meeting of Empowered Committee (EC) of Finance ministers began in Mussoorie on Friday. Finance Ministers from 13 States participated in the meet which was chaired by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Finance minister Sushil Kumar Modi. Modi heard the views of various Finance Ministers and asked their suggestions as well. During meeting manufacturing states like Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have strongly objected these but consuming states like Uttarakhand have welcomed this.
Uttarakhand Planning Minister Dinesh Aggarwal, who participated the meeting because state finance minister Indira Hridayesh is unwell, welcomed the delegates at the meeting. In his address, he expressed hope that the two days long meeting would bring consensus among various states on tax matters. It was a major achievement of the empowered committee that State-level VAT system was implemented. The tax reforms would lead to the removal of internal physical trade barrier and internal economic trade barrier and result in the development of the common Indian market.
Other dignitaries including Andhra Pradesh finance minister AR Reddy, Gujarat Power minister Saurabh Patel, Haryana Excise and Taxation Minister Kiran Chaudhary, Himachal Pradesh excise and taxation minister Prakash Chaudhary, J&K Finance minister AR Rather, Kerala finance minister KM Mani, MP finance minister Raghavji, Meghalaya Excise minister ZM Sangma, Punjab Finance Minister PS Dhindsa, Tamil Nadu finance minister BV Ramanna, Uttar Pradesh commercial tax advisory committee chairman SM Aggarwal, Delhi Finance minister Dr AK Walia and Empowered Committee's member secretary Satish Chandra. Senior officials of the central and state governments were also present.