Odisha’s demands not considered in GST: Amat

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Lok Sabha passed four supplementary legislations to pave way for the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) across the country, the Odisha government said that the State’s demands were not considered while deciding to implement the regime.

Citing his displeasure over the form in which the GST was passed, Odisha Finance minister Pradeep Amat said, on account of Coal cess being levied, Odisha had demanded an increase in royalty and the State had also demanded Green Tax provision in GST.

“The Coal cess has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 400 and form the collected cess a compensation fund will be created out of which the States will be paid. It is essentially giving the States back their own money. Hence we had protested this move, which was also not accepted,” said Amat.

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On the other hand, BJP Legislature party leader, KV Singhdeo said that if there are any demands then the State can raise it at the GST Council meeting while leader of Opposition, Narsingh Mishra criticised the State government citing that awareness dawned upon it quite late.

“The ruling BJD is just for the sake of criticising the Centre is bring up such issues. In GST Council, the finance ministers of all states can voice their opinions and demands which will be taken into consideration at a later point in time,” said Singhdeo.