ArChiteCts of reform

Work on the GST began almost 17 yeArs Ago. 175 offiCiAls worked for over 18,000 mAn hours in the past six months to ensure the 4 GST bills were passed and the GST Council ensured rates were fixed and rules framed.

ASIM DASGUPTA

In 2000, the govt set up an expert panel to begin talks on GST. It was headed by the then West Bengal finance minister Asim Dasgupta. A few years later, Dasgupta returned as the head of the empowered committee of state finance ministers to thrash out the new indirect tax. The Marxist leader held discussions with states, industry bodies and other stakeholders to curve a GST model.

VIJAY KELKAR

The Kelkar Task Force on the implementation of the FRBM Act, 2003, pointed out problems of a cascading indirect tax regime. It suggested a comprehensive GST based on a value-added tax principle. As chairman of the 13th finance commission, Vijay Kelkar again pitched for GST. He was also the first to propose formation of a national GST

Council.

P CHIDAMBARAM

P Chidambaram was the first finance minister to include the proposal for an indirect tax reform in the 2006 budget. In 2012, he worked tirelessly, created committees and sub-committees to ensure all state grievances are addressed. He set a December 2012 deadline to resolve issues raised by states. But with LS polls in 2014, it was difficult for him to get to the finish line.

ARUN JAITLEY

The bulk of the credit has to go to Jaitley, whose efforts since 2014, made the impossible possible by getting all states to support GST. Even against hope, Jaitley batted for consensus. His friendly overtures towards Cong ensured the passage of an amendment in August 2016, paving way for GST.