Date:05/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/05/stories/2005100503850100.htm

Back Roadmap for CST phase-out may be discussed at VAT panel meet

Our Bureau

New Delhi , Oct. 4

THE issue of a roadmap for central sales tax (CST) phase-out is likely to come up for discussion at the VAT panel meeting here on Wednesday even as consensus eluded the States over the compensation and timing of the phase-out or the elimination of the tax that helps track inter-State trade.

At a meeting of the VAT/sales tax commissioners of States here on Tuesday, the absence of consensus among the States on the CST phase-out came to the fore.

While most of the States said they should be compensated for the loss of revenues from elimination or reduction in the CST rate, some felt there was no need to remove or phase out CST.