While only 33.98 lakh July returns were filed till the due date, the number has now gone up to 55.87 lakh. Similarly for August 28.46 lakh returns were filed till the last date, but the figure went up to 51.37 lakh later.

The Finance Minister earlier ruled out any possible delay in implementation of the GST and said: \"We have been saying for the last six months it would be July 1 - nobody has any business not to be ready.\"

It has been designed keeping in mind large businesses and ignoring the problems that small businesses may face, says President of Federation of Indian Small Business.

GST roll-out by April 1, 2017 looks possible as initial developments show that the government is meeting the targets set in its roadmap.

As we are steadily climbing notches in the ladder of ease of doing business, a much-needed push to the manufacturing sector is important to sustain and promote an all-inclusive growth.

While modalities for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation are being worked upon, the Union Budget 2016/17 provides an excellent opportunity to the Finance Minister to rationalise as well as iron out the inconsistencies in the existing CENVAT credit scheme.

Central Board of Direct Taxes chairperson Anita Kapur has directed top officials of the I-T department to tackle grievances of taxpayers.