While the finance ministry on Wednesday admitted to Rs 20,000-22,000-crore (Rs 200-220 billion) shortfall in the indirect tax collections during the current year, it went on to assure the industry that the tax burden on people would come down by 25-30 per cent with the introduction of the proposed goods and services tax.
The new tax is expected to subsume various indirect taxes, including excise and value-added tax.
The reduction in tax burden through GST, however, might not mean a cut in government revenue since the rates being discussed for GST are designed to be revenue neutral even as the new tax regime is expected to widen the tax base.
© 2025