New Delhi: In a move towards a goods and services tax (GST), the finance ministry yesterday issued 11-point draft rules to integrate goods and services taxation in the form of a two-way flow in CENVAT credit.

Finance minister P. Chidambaram had announced in his budget that credit of input tax would be extended across goods and services through suitable amendments in the Central Excise Act and Finance Act of 1994.

While the task force on direct taxes would be headed by member (revenue), that on indirect taxes would be headed by chief commissioner (tax arrears and recovery). No new posts would be created for the task forces. The task forces, which start functioning from today, would report to the respective boards — the CBDT and the CBEC. Chidambaram had earlier stated that he would approach the chief justice of India and chief justices of High Courts in states to take up big tax cases quickly. The government also proposes to come up with media campaigns as part of the multi-pronged approach to recover arrears. A 3-stage approach would be adopted — tax authorities would first issue notices to companies and individuals who have not cleared arrears. Taxmen would go after them if this failed to work.