Commodity Tax Reforms in India M N Murty This paper discusses various types of VAT and their application in a federal country or a country with governments at many levels. In particular, it takes up a detailed examination of a comprehensive VAT covering the full chain of business activities from manufacturing to retailing. A case for having a comprehensive VAT at central and state levels in India is discussed. It finds that such a tax system supplemented by specific excises and subsidies to deal with the problems of equity, environment and social needs is ideal for India.