Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said the Centre has reached a consensus with a majority of the states regarding the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). In an exclusive interview to ANI’s Editor (News) Smita Prakash, Jaitley said, “The states are not against the GST. I have consulted with almost every state, and there is a consensus.” On being asked whether the government is on a collision with the states regarding the GST, Jaitley admitted that one or two states do have some issues, and the government will try to resolve that. Earlier in the day, Jaitley while presenting his maiden budget had said that the government would like to introduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) to streamline the tax administration, avoid harassment of business and ensure higher revenue collection. He also said that the government would rationalize subsidies, but that would be on the recommendation of the Expenditure Management Commission. He alleged that it was the mismanagement of the UPA Government that the country is facing a crisis today. “Half my problem today is that first 20 pages of my speech are how I correct the some of the issues which the UPA has left unresolved,” he said. He also emphasized that Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) could have been used for asset creation like roads and toilets in the rural areas. (ANI)
