Panel of state finance ministers to discuss sugar cess with law ministry

To explore alternative methods of resource generation at next meet; Isaac suggests super-rich tax instead

A panel of state finance ministers to look into the proposed imposition of a sugar cess under the goods and services tax (GST) regime decided to seek the union law ministry’s opinion on the legality.

The committee, led by Assam's Himanta Biswa Sarma, will also look at alternative ways to raise money for helping sugarcane farmers, at its next meeting on June 3 in Mumbai.  

Kerala’s Thomas Isaac suggested the Centre consider a one per cent surcharge on the super-rich. But, that would be a direct tax, while GST is indirect tax.

The panel will also seek a report from the Union food