Budget 2016: Jaitley to meet state finance ministers on Saturday

New Delhi : As part of the pre-Budget 2016 consultation process he has been having with stakeholders, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will meet his state counterparts on Saturday, an official source here said.

State finance ministers at this meeting are likely to request more funds and flexibility to spend money under centrally-sponsored schemes, the source said.

Issues around the implementation of recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, that has pitched for a record 10 percent rise in the states’ share of central taxes, are also likely to be discussed, he added.

The preparatory work for implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill that is currently stalled in the Rajya Sabha, where the ruling NDA lacks a majority, is also likely to figure in Saturday’s discussions.

IANS