Arrive at a consensus on GST fast: Mamata tells Amit Mitra

We are fighting for GST. One-tax formula will work, said Mamata Banerjee

In what could be the best push for the long-pending goods and services tax (GST), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked state finance minister and chairman of the empowered committee on GST, Amit Mitra, to arrive at a consensus on the issue soon.

"So far, no one has been able to do it. Now, Amit Mitra is leading it. A lot has been said; now, it's time for action," Mamata said. "We want a one-tax formula for the industry. We have had it in our manifesto since 2009. We are in the Opposition, but we are still fighting for GST." However, she also chose to take on the Centre for creating an 'environment of mistrust', so that her party's support for GST would not be construed as support for the Modi government.

Mamata also criticised the Centre's smart city concept, though New Town Rajarhat on the north-eastern fringes of Kolkata has been included in the latest list of smart cities announced by the Centre.

"This is a completely flawed concept. The money is for a building. We could have made better use of this money... Rajarhat is anyway 'oversmart'," she said. Under the Smart Cities Mission, each selected city will get central assistance of Rs 100 crore a year for five years. The West Bengal government has taken it upon itself to build six theme townships.

Mamata said her government would work towards preparing a vision document for five, 10 and 15 years. "We will focus on automobile and manufacturing sectors."

WHAT MAMATA BANERJEE SAID

"We are fighting for GST. One-tax formula will work"

"Many industrialists are afraid to invest in India"

"Bengal has the best investor-friendly atmosphere"