the essay of 21 July 2021 · the untouched capture
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<p align="justify"><font color="#663399" size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>JULY 21, 2021</strong></font></p>
<p align="center"><font color="#FF6633" size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>GST is GST</strong></font></p>
<p align="center"><u><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>By Vijay Kumar</strong></font></u></p>
<p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>AN</STRONG> imaginary conversation, which I swear has not taken place:-</font></p>
<p align="justify"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The new Minister of State for Finance walks into the room of the Finance Secretary. </font></p>
<div align="justify">
<table width="90%" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0">
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<td width="10%" valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td width="2%" valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td width="88%" valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm told I can find the Secretary in charge of GST here. </font></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes sir, You can - Finance Secretary, the Finance Secretary, in charge of GST, to some extent. </font></p> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm the new minister. </font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em>So, you are the new minister for GST? </em></font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm the Minister of State for Finance , which portfolio includes GST. </font></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em>But, I am told the Prime Minister directly deals with GST. </em></font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, how can he deal directly, when there is a Finance Minister? </font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em>Didn't he do that for demonetisation? </em></font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, he didn't; anyway that's not the topic for my discussion </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em>Are you an economist? </em></font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, I am a lawyer, unfortunately. </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, it is not unfortunately; on the contrary, that is most fortunate. The civil service has always opposed the appointment of anyone with specialised knowledge. </font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Why? </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Their prejudiced ideas may not be compatible with government. </font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em> </em></font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What if the ideas are good? </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Most good ideas are incompatible with government policy. </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Were you in favour of GST? </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I, Minister? I am neither in favour of nor against anything. I am just a humble vessel into which ministers pour the fruits of their labour and their remarkable intellectual endeavours. So tell me - what are we trying to achieve here? </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong><em>GST </em></strong></font></p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I am fully seized of that idea and completely on board of course. But, What does it mean, exactly? </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Haven't you heard the PM? GST means GST. </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Indeed. So does GST mean keeping whole of India under one tax? Does GST perhaps include revising our own governance in relation to States? Does GST mean the legislation of new Acts and regulations, including the drafting of 30 or 40 new bills so that we have a new tax system in place? </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Um - not sure - can you clarify that for me? </font></p></td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><em>Can </em> you clarify that for me? You are one of those who campaigned successfully for GST - in the elections.</font> </p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Forget that; I didn't really expect to win. So who really runs GST? </font></p>
</td>
</tr>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Another interesting question. Well done, Minister! The GST is run on an intricate and sophisticated system based on a hierarchical structure of interlocking and overlapping jurisdictions designed to separate the powers while reinforcing the authority of the departments, institutions and agencies who collectively and separately control and supervise the diverse activities of the Government and its associated organisations. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Who else is in this department? </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well briefly, Sir, I am the Finance Secretary. We have five departments in the Finance Ministry: </font></p>
<blockquote>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">1. The Department of Expenditure, </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">2. The Department of Revenue, </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">3. The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management , </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">4. The Department of Economic Affairs, </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">5. The Department of Financial Services, and </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">6. The Department of Public Enterprises. </font></p>
</blockquote> </td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">But that makes it six. </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes Minister, you are simply brilliant. We actually have six departments. Each department is headed by a Secretary like me. I am also the overall secretary for the whole Ministry apart from being the full-time Secretary for the Department of Economic Affairs. Above me are the Ministers of State and the Cabinet Minister. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That means you report to me? </font></p></td>
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<tr>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary: </font></p>
<p> </p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">If it pleases you. Technically, yes, but since I am the overall Secretary, the Hon'ble Minister would expect me to report directly on all important matters. So, I may not be always available, when you want me to report to you. In any case, this GST, to know about which you came to me is under the Revenue Secretary. Shall I call him here?</font> </p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Did I get you correctly? You said there are five (or six to be precise) secretaries and I assume they are of equal rank. How can you call the Revenue Secretary here and why should he come to your room? </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister, that's what I said - we have a hierarchical structure of interlocking and overlapping jurisdictions. Since I am the senior-most among the five, no six Secretaries in the Finance Ministry, I am called the Finance Secretary. Though technically, the Revenue Secretary is equal in rank to me, I being slightly senior, the hierarchical structure will often cast an obligatory if not mandatory burden on the Revenue Secretary to go to the room of the Finance Secretary, and between us, I am considered to be close to the Prime Minister and also likely to become the Cabinet Secretary. The Revenue Secretary knows that and more importantly has reasons to believe that I can come in his way up in the hierarchical structure. So, all that I have to do is pick up the phone and say, "come down" and he will be here. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister: </font></p>
<p> </p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, you can pick up the phone some other time. I understand that you are very knowledgeable. Let us continue. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p> </p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister, to continue, I have four Additional Secretaries, twelve Joint Secretaries, fourteen Deputy Secretaries and several Under-Secretaries, Section Officers and Assistants under me. All the Secretaries have similar staff. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>: </strong></font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do they all type? </font></p>
<p> </p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ha ha , Minister you are very funny! </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">And who was that important looking guy who was trying to prevent me from entering your room? He looked more powerful than all of us here. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p>
<p> </p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh! Suresh; he is my PPS - Principal Private Secretary; I have three Principal Private Secretaries and a Private Secretary. </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Does the PPS type? </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">No sir, the PPS has a PS who has a steno. The Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries also have at least one PS or SPS each. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Do I also have PS and PPS? </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Of course, Minister. In any case we all work for you. </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In this complicated hierarchical structure, who takes decisions? </font></p>
</td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's what I explained to you. We have an intricate and sophisticated system based on a hierarchical structure of interlocking and overlapping jurisdictions designed to separate the powers while reinforcing the authority of the departments, institutions and agencies who collectively and separately control and supervise the diverse activities of the Union and its associated organisations. </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ah, I forgot. We have a Board called the CBIC in the Revenue Department which has a Chairman and five Members who are all equal in rank to the Revenue Secretary, maybe slightly less equal - the equation is something like me and the Revenue Secretary. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Understood. Go on. I forgot to ask you. Who are the other members of the GST Council? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The GST Council's membership consists of the Finance Ministers of all states while there are teams of officers to assist the ministers at every stage. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p>
<p> </p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's called the Council. Why? And why is the head of the Council called a chairperson? Did they know that one day a lady would become the Finance Minister? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">These are Constitutional matters which you may discuss with the Attorney General. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Should I go to him or can I pick up the phone? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I don't know minister. Try the second one first and if it fails, try the first one. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Doesn't seem to be very simple. Does it? I am already getting scared as to how I am going to look into all those papers typed by all these varieties of secretaries.</font> </p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Not all of us type here. In fact, many of us do not know how to type. But, yes, there will be files and plenty of them. Would you like us to simplify it for you? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Yes, </strong> I would. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In that case, just move all the files that we give you from your in-tray to your out-tray. We'll do the rest.</font></p> </td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister</font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That simple? Can I trust you? </font></p> </td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary</font></p> </td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Of course. We are your humble servants ... </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister</font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, yes! I've heard all that. By the way, I heard that we have a Pegasus in the Ministry. True?</font></p> </td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">What? <strong>Pegasus? </strong></font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Slow, slow - I heard some department in the ministry taps telephones. Is it true? </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, we have the DRI and some other agencies, which are legally allowed to tap phones? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Can I get any phone tapped? Will they tap my phone? </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">I really don't know minister; you will have to eventually find out. Tapping is not my theatre. </font></p>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finally, are you in favour of GST? </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary</font> </p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">That depends on what it means. </font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Minister </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">GST means GST.</font></p></td>
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<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Finance Secretary </font></p>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">: </font></p></td>
<td valign="top"><p><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes Minister. </font></p></td>
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<p align="justify"><font color="#FF0000" size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><strong>Until Next Week</strong></font></p>
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