Options include raising both excise and service tax rates in FY16 The Centre is confident of rolling out a combined goods and services tax ( GST) at the national level in time to meet the April 2016 deadline, even before states get their legal structures in order. “Nothing in the law stops the Centre from doing so in this financial year ( FY16),” said an officer in the know of the developments. The plan is afallback option, to be resorted to only if the government is unable to make the first of the three Constitution amendment Bills sail through in the current session of Parliament. One of the options is to raise both excise and service tax rates in FY16, as these are way below any expected GST rates. Sources say the government is very serious about meeting the April deadline. Doing so will restore confidence among investors, domestic and foreign, about the government’s ability to make reforms happen, especially when it involves Parliament. The prime minister has already announ...