CM Dhami urges Modi to extend GST compensation period for Uttarakhand
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday urged prime minister Narendra Modi to extend the period of Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation beyond June 30, 2022 and establish a branch of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in the state.
Dhami also requested Modi for early operation of air services from Pithoragarh airstrip and inclusion of Kumaon temples under the Centre’s Manas Khand Mandir Mala Mission. Besides, the CM sought the Centre’s cooperation in transferring of 25% equity shareholding of THDC India Ltd from Uttar Pradesh to Uttarakhand.
The five-year period for compensating states for any loss of tax revenues after implementation of GST will end on June 30.
The chief minister said with an objective of providing revenue security to the states after the implementation of GST, arrangements were made to compensate the GST for a period of 5 years, till 30 June 2022.
“But due to structural changes, low consumption base,
inadequate service base in the state and other reasons, the expected growth in the revenue of the state could not be recorded after the implementation of GST. In view of the limited financial resources of the state, the period of GST compensation should be extended for further years after June 2022,” he said after meeting Modi in New Delhi.
Dhami said Uttarakhand was emerging as a pharmaceutical hub in the country. “The pharmaceutical manufacturing units established in the state account for about 20 per cent of the total consumption of medicines in India. More than 300 pharmaceutical
manufacturing units are established in three major industrial complexes established in the state - Dehradun, Haridwar and US Nagar - which are providing jobs to more than one lakh people,” he said.
The CM requested Modi to set up a branch of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Uttarakhand. “This will give a boost to pharmaceutical research in the state. Land for same will be made available by the state government,” he said.
Dhami told Modi that the tender process has been completed for operation of fixed-wing (aircraft) air service from the airstrip
in Pithoragarh - the border district of the state.
The CM expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Uttarakhand for the guidance of Modi and cooperation of the central government in the development of Uttarakhand.
“Under the able guidance of Modi, all-around development is being done in the fields of health, education, roads, energy and so on in the state. Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham areas are being developed according to the master plans prepared for them. As per the vision of PM Modi, in 2025, Uttarakhand will be one of the leading states in the country,” he said.