PANAJI
The Indian economy has bounced back considerably post pandemic and the country's tax collection could cross Rs 1.50 lakh crore in the coming years, Transport Minister and Goa's newly re-appointed representative on the Goods and Services Tax Council Mauvin Godinho said on Tuesday.
Godinho also said that the state would recommend maintaining a status quo on rate rationalisation of GST in view of the ongoing surge in petrol and diesel prices, which have increased every day over the last few days.
"I am very optimistic. In three years time or four years time, we will cross Rs 1.50 (lakh crore). Now the figure has reached Rs 1.42 lakh crore. It shows how much our collection has increased. Once rates are rationalised, not only Rs1.50 (lakh crore) we may reach Rs 2 lakh crore also," Godinho told reporters here.
The Transport Minister, who was once again appointed as the state's representative to the Council on Tuesday, also said that he would be recommending a status quo in rates in view of the unstable fuel prices.
Godinho is a member of the Council's rate rationalisation committee, which is headed by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.
"We have decided to submit the report. When the Karnataka Chief Minister (Basavaraj Bommai) was here for the swearing-in, we had met and said that we would submit the report as soon as possible," Godinho claimed.
"Because of the fluctuation in petrol prices and rising petrol and diesel prices, I do not feel that it would be right to touch those rates. This is going to be my recommendation to maintain the status quo. We cannot get diesel and petrol under GST," the Minister said.
"With rate rationalisation, we can do better, but it will take time. Once the Ukraine-Russia war is over and done with and when prices of diesel and petrol come down, then I think there will be scope to do that," he added.
