Centre's rigid stance led to changes in GST: Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said the Central government's rigid stance on GST slabs led to frequent changes in the new tax regime.

"Since the very beginning (of implementation of GST), the Delhi government has been demanding a decrease in the 28 per cent tax slab but the BJP-led Central government's rigid approach to the issue has led to frequent changes in the policy," Sisodia tweeted.

"The GST Council raised the issue of cutting the 28 per cent tax slab on items except tobacco, cigarettes, and other sin goods, which was appreciated by many states yet taxes on paints, motor parts et al were not reduced."

The tweets came in response to the decision, taken in the 23rd GST Council meeting on Friday in Guwahati, to slash the 28 per cent tax slab to 18 per cent on 50 items of mass consumption.

Tax on goods like chewing gum, chocolates, shaving items, shampoo and skin creams, whose revenue implication is not much, has been reduced.

The GST Council meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and saw participation of Finance Ministers of at least 24 states. Some of the states were represented by their Chief Ministers as they hold the Finance portfolio as well.

--IANS

mg/him/bg