PMO and finance ministry caught in row over GAAR guidelines

But early this morning,the Prime Ministers Office PMO issued a clarification stating that the GAAR guidelines have not been seen by the Prime Minister and will be finalised with the approval of the Prime Minister,who holds the finance portfolio,only after considering the feedback received.

The PMO said the guidelines put up on the website are from the official level of the finance ministry8230; are only draft guidelines and have been put out for receiving wide-ranging feedback and for discussion purposes only.

In another twist on Friday afternoon,the Central Board of Direct Taxes reiterated that the GAAR provisions would be applicable only from April 1,2013 and sought comments from stakeholders.

When contacted,Gujral said: Dont read too much into the release by the PMO.

All this comes at a time when Singh has categorically told finance ministry officials that there are problems on the tax front which need to be addressed.