Pune: While the Union government has hinted at reduction in fuel prices after it’s brought under the Goods and Service Tax (GST), it has passed the ball onto the State government’s court.
Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla said that fuel prices can reduce if it is taxed under GST. “We have asked all state governments to consider including petroleum in GST several times in the GST Council. Unless the Central government receives a proposal for inclusion of GST in petrol and diesel prices, the Centre cannot do anything,” said Shukla.
He said that once state governments send the proposal, the Central government will readily give its nod. Shukla was at an interaction session on recent developments in GST and Income Tax organised by Mahratta Chambers of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) along with Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad branches of WIRC of ICAI and Pune Chattered Accountants Society at MCCIA, Pune, on Friday. Pramod Chaudhari, President of MCCIA, Amar Sable, MP, Rajya Sabha, Anil Shirole, MP, Lok Sabha, principal chief commissioners of GST AK Pandey and of Income Tax Vinodanand Jha were present at the event.
“However, petroleum rates cannot be uniform because every state and union territory has separate petrol and diesel prices,” added Shukla. Even Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had recently said that petrol and diesel prices will come down if the Centre brings it under GST.
Pune fifth in I-T collection
Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Vinodanand Jha said Pune region ranks fifth in Income Tax collection for FY 2017-18. Around Rs 51,609 crore has been collected, crossing the Rs 50,000 crore bracket for the first time. Jha said that the collection has increased by 20 per cent. Pune region comprises all of Maharashtra except for Mumbai and Vidarbha.
