GST should not hamper states’ interests: Etala asks Jaitley

Hyderabad: Telangana Finance Minister E Rajender today urged the Centre to exclude liquor, petrol and agriculture products from the GST purview.
He was participating at a GST Empowerment Committee meeting at Vigyan Bhavan in national capital chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Finance ministers of all states attended the meeting that unanimously elected West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra as committee chairman. The committed focused on GST implementation and its implications on the states and steps to be needed to economies of the states. Rajender said that he urged Arun Jaitley to see that GST Bill will not hamper the rights of the states. We have asked the Centre to abstain from a cut in funds allocation to states’ welfare schemes, increase FRBM limit to 3.5 from 3.0 per cent and release CST arrears he told reporters later. Jaitley informed that next Union Cabinet will take a decision on FRBM limit and promised to pay CST arrears in the budget session he said. Union Finance Minister assured help to the states that face adverse impact by GST, Rajender said. (NSS)