GST from April 1, 2017 across India: Meghwal

New Delhi, Sep 22 (IANS) The Union government is abiding by the April 1, 207 target date for implementing the goods and services tax (GST) across India, Minister of State for Finance, Arjun Ram Meghwal said here on Thursday.

“I can assure you that April 1, 2017 is the target date for implementing GST in India and we are abiding that particular target and I can assure that April 1, 2017, GST will be applicable in the country,” said Meghwal while addressing the inaugural session of “ASSOCHAM Global Investors’ India Forum”.

He said all the issues relating to the states – whether pertaining to the standard rate, area or product based exemptions, slabs in the GST rate – all will be decided in the GST Council after detailed discussion with the states.

“We will deliberate on the issues and definitely decide in the interest of the nation,” said Meghwal.

The minister added that the GST is a major initiative that can take India’s GDP growth to double digit level up to 10 per cent from current level of over 7 per cent.

Saying that the government is slowly moving towards the goal of one nation, one tax, he said: “We will consider all aspects and to promote ease of doing business and ensure success of Make in India program, we can also consider slab related issues.”

Meghwal also said that the government was working on the process to curtail black money generation.