Release state share of GST monthly: Manpreet to Jaitley

PUNJAB FINANCE MINISTER SAYS AT PRESENT STATES ARE GETTING THEIR SHARE AFTER TWO MONTHS, WHICH OFTEN CAUSES FISCAL HURDLES

LUDHIANA: Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal on Thursday urged Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to release the state share of goods and services tax (GST) every month.

“We are getting our share of GST after every two months. But we want that this should be given every month to save us from financial hurdles,” said Manpreet who was in the city to lay the foundation stone of four projects.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event, the minister said he had suggested the Union minister to increase the Centre’s share in a couple of schemes, which will ease the financial burden of state governments.

“Two projects — Border Area Development Programme and Rashrtiya Krishi Vikas Yojana — are run on a 60:40 ratio as far as contribution of central and state government is concerned. I want the Centre to increase its share from 60% to 90%,” he said.

On being asked whether GST should be imposed over petro products, Manpreet said these concerns have been conveyed to the finance minister which will be discussed in the next GST council meeting, to be held after the union budget is presented on Feb 1.

Earlier in the day during his address at a community centre here, Manpreet urged people to support Congress candidates in the upcoming municipal corporation elections.

“If you show your love and support to the Congress, we will always reciprocate in better terms,” he added.