BHUBANESWAR: A day after Lok Sabha passed four supplementary legislations to pave way for implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) across the country, Odisha Government on Thursday said the State’s demands were not considered.
Finance Minister Pradip Kumar Amat said all demands, which were raised by Odisha Government during discussions for implementation of the tax, have been ignored.
Expressing displeasure over the manner in which the GST Bill was passed, Amat said Odisha had demanded increase in royalty on coal and Green Tax provision in GST.
“The cess on coal has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 400 and a compensation fund will be created out of this from which the States will be paid. It is essentially giving the States back their own money. Hence we had protested this move,’’ he said.
Amat said Odisha Government had also demanded that entry tax at the level of 2015-16 to be taken into consideration while calculating compensation to the State on account of implementation of GST. However, this demand was also ignored.
On the other hand, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra criticised the State Government over the issue.
When the NDA Government brought changes in GST, while Congress had opposed the amendments, BJD had supported the Centre. Now the realisation has dawned that it will not benefit the State, but it is too late, he said.
BJP Legislature Party leader KV Singhdeo said if there are any demands, then the State can raise it at the GST Council meeting. States have the option to go to the council, nothing will be imposed, he said.