The Chairman of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers, Dr Asim Dasgupta has asked for constitutional amendment for introducing new tax regime-Dual Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the country.

Dr Dasgupta discussed the matter with the Empowered Committee in Delhi and reflected, "A constitutional amendment is required. A working group will parallel look into this issue."

The committee discussed various issues such as list of exempted items, the threshold limit and the rate structure of GST items without impacting the interest of common people.

The government intends to introduce dual GST system, aiming uniform implementation of Central GST on the entire supply chain from beginning to consumption level. It is to be noted that CENVAT duty is currently not applicable at manufacturing and retail sales level. States are not empowered to levy service tax as well under the current tax norms.

Dr. Dasgupta strongly hopes for fall in the prices of essential food commodities besides increase in revenue collection by states and the union with the introduction of new tax regime.