Chhattisgarh to become country's logistic hub post GST: Jaitley

FM says state is centrally located and firms making consumer goods may opt to set up godowns there

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said there is strong possibility Chhattisgarh will become the country’s logistic hub following the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

“Chhattisgarh is centrally located and companies manufacturing consumer goods may opt to set up godowns in the state,” Jaitley said while speaking at a day-long seminar on GST organised in Raipur on Sunday. The goods can be transported to any part of the country from Chhattisgarh within hours, he added.

The Finance Minister said Chhattisgarh played a key role in introducing the new tax reform in the country. “Chhattisgarh's role and level of activity at the Council meetings were really appreciable,” Jaitley said, adding that of the presentation and suggestions that came from the state had contributed in a big way to the decisions taken at these meetings.

He said Sardar Patel united India politically, but economically, the country remained disintegrated. The economy system in place the last 70 years never encouraged tax compliance, he added, saying the new tax system would benefit the country, trade, manufacturing, business and the people at large.

The minister said the online system would stem interference from government officials and the revenue collected would be at par with the funds needed for development works in the state.