Ahead of GST Council met, opposition states accuse Centre of ‘betrayal’ – Times of India

NEW DELHI: A day before the crucial GST Council meeting to discuss compensation payment to states, states governed by opposition parties accused the Narendra Modi government of not honouring its commitment while ignoring their calls for providing aid to combat Covid-19.
Armed with legal opinion from attorney general K K Venugopal, the Centre has stated that the burden of finding resources lies with the GST Council, although it is not shying away from its commitment. It is considering the option of resorting to market borrowings which might be discussed on Thursday.
During a meeting with chief ministers of states where Congress is in office or in coalition with allies, as also West Bengal, Congress president Sonia Gandhi accused the Centre of “betrayal” and said it was crucial that compensation be paid on time, in line with the legal provisions. “I know this is not happening. Dues have accumulated. The finances of all states have been badly affected,” she said.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray went to the extent of demanding a review of the current tax regime. “We need to see if the old (tax) structure was good or if there is any middle path,” he said. Amarinder Singh, his Punjab counterpart, suggested a meeting with the PM to press the issue.