Empowered committee Instituted joint working group

It has been decided by the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers, in consultation with the Central Government, to constitute a joint Working Group. Work allocated to this group was —

• Study the various models of GST existing globally and any other relevant material available on the subject. It would also identify the possible alternative models for introduction of GST in India and examine their various characteristics and assess their suitability in India’s fiscal federal context. After these studies, the Working Group should present its findings before the Empowered Committee for decision on the most appropriate model for introduction of GST in India.
• Identify the Central Taxes and State Taxes which possess properties to be appropriately subsumed under GST.

Working Group was asked to submit its report to the Empowered Committee within a period of 4 months.