India Govt may clarify stand on Vodafone issue in Parliament: Pranab

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said the Indian government may clarify its stand on Vodafone tax controversy in Parliament at the time of discussion on Finance Bill, 2012. "I cannot respond to any speculative questions. Parliament is in session. If anything is to be clarified, I will (do it) only at Parliament at the time of Finance Bill," he told reporters here. He was responding to queries on whether the government would waive penalty on Vodafone, which may have to pay tax after Parliament approves amendments to Income Tax, 1961, with retrospective effect. Parliament is scheduled to take up the Finance Bill, which contains tax proposals, next week. The Bill was introduced by Mukherjee in Parliament on March 16. Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao had called on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday to discuss issues concerning India's decision to amend the Income Tax Act with retrospective effect and its possible impact on the Rupees 110.0 billion (about US 2.2 billion) tax demand. PTI