GST compensation of more than 6900 crore has become outstanding and the state is not getting any response from the centre. Rajasthan is constantly seeking reply from the centre but has not got any response to get its own money from the union government.
As learnt during the video conference held on Wednesday between Congress President Sonia Gandhi and 7 Chief Ministers of opposition states, Gehlot informed that centre was yet to release GST compensation of nearly Rs 6990 crore to the state. The CM said that he has written letters to the Prime Minister but has not got any response.
GST compensation has been a big issue with various state governments, however in case of Rajasthan what is more shocking is the silence of all the 25 Lok Sabha MPs of the state in this regard. At least in the public domain, none of the Lok Sabha MPs has spoken about this topic though they keep posting videos of many other topics on social media.
They have not issued any public statement regarding the GST issue. Even though it’s the state’s issue however at a time when the finances are under pressure due to the COVID period and there is heavy expenditure on health services apart from routine works, is it not the moral responsibility of all the 25 Lok Sabha MPs to raise these issues with the finance minister and the union government? They are first the representatives of the people of the state in parliament before their party affiliations.
Political leaders across the parties must realize that if the GST compensation is released on time to the state, it will be used for the development of the state through various infrastructure, developmental projects.
Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act, 2017 was enacted to levy Compensation cess for providing compensation to the States for the loss of revenue arising on account of implementation of the goods and services tax. Now the dues of the states have accumulated and states need their money during this crucial COVID period.
