Shivankar for uniform ST tariffs

NASHIK, MARCH 6: State Finance Minister Mahadeo Shivankar has proposed a uniform Sales Tax structure in all states to end the unhealthy...

NASHIK, MARCH 6: State Finance Minister Mahadeo Shivankar has proposed a uniform Sales Tax structure in all states “to end the unhealthy competition among them.”

Talking to mediapersons here on Friday night after a meeting with associations of trade and industry, Shivankar said states vied with each other to attract new industries and offered sops to new industrial projects, adding this was because of the disparities in the tax structure, especially Sales Tax.

Shivankar said the “unhealthy competition among states” restricted industrial development, and suggested that a uniform Sales Tax structure be introduced throughout the country.

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Shivankar, who is scheduled to present the State’s budget for 1999-2000 in the forthcoming session of the State Legislature, said non-Plan and unproductive expenditure would be reduced and taxes streamlined. The Rs 12,162 crore budget included Rs 6,642 crore of planned expenditure for developmental works, he said, adding a “substantial sum would be reserved forMumbai.”

Earlier, the minister received some 35 memoranda by delegations from various associations of trade and industry. The demands included streamlining of taxes, reduction in Sales Tax, reduction in hotel licence fees, an alternative to octroi, reduction in registration fees on houses and acceleration of infrastructural works.