PIB launches special webpage on GST

As India roo99n the eve of the prolonged tax reform system being rolled out, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has come up with a special webpage on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on its official website.

The Director General of PIB, A P Frank Noronha launched the website http://pib.nic.in/gst on Friday - which is a one stop platform for all information on the new tax regime. The website contains press releases issued till date on GST in both Hindi and English languages. Apart from releases it also contains with various presentations, FAQs etc on the 'One Nation, One Tax'.

The Centre has claimed that GST would completely transform the Indirect Taxation landscape in the country involving both the Central and State levies. In a departure from the normal practice, GST would be administered together by the Centre and States.

The government release in this connection states, "Video clips of press conferences conducted with regard to GST by Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley; Workshop conducted by Revenue Secretary, Dr Hasmukh Adhia; Various video clips on GST including educational videos, TV Spots and Radio jingles as prepared by CBEC are also available on the webpage. Video links of programmes on GST by DD News can also be accessed."

"Social networking sites and micro blogging sites, i.e. YouTube, Twitter, Facebook etc will also give updates on GST and are integrated into the webpage for easy access on social media platforms," the release further mentions.

"Various Infographics on GST have been compiled along with the Advertisements issued. Finance Minister's quotes and bytes on GST after GST Council meetings have also been uploaded on the webpage. The website will also have a link to the webcast of the Special Programme of Launch of GST scheduled at 11 PM on 30thJune 2017 from Central Hall of Parliament House," the release says, adding, "The biggest tax reform since independence - GST - will pave the way for realization of the goal of One Nation - One Tax - One Market. GST will benefit all the stakeholders namely industry, government and consumer.

It will lower the cost of goods and services give a boost to the economy and make the products and services globally competitive, giving a major boost to 'Make in India' initiative."

Under the GST regime, exports would be zero-rated in entirety unlike the present system, where refund of some of the taxes does not take place due to fragmented nature of indirect taxes between the Centre and the States. GST would make India a common market, with common tax rates and procedures and remove economic barriers.