GST Council fixing agenda items without consulting states, says Andhra Pradesh FM; demands early release of unsettled IGST

New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu Thursday expressed serious concern over the GST Council fixing the agenda items without consulting state governments. He, however, supported the decisions taken by the Council with regard to raising the turnover limit for availing the composition scheme to Rs 1.50 crore from Rs 1 crore, doubling GST exemption limit to Rs 40 lakh annual turnover and filing of one annual return by the businesses availing the GST composition scheme, among others. [caption id=“attachment_5872651” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] A file photo of Yanamala Ramakrishnudu. Image courtesy: Twitter/@AndhraPradeshCM[/caption] In an official statement, Ramakrishnudu “expressed serious concern that the Council agenda items are being prepared without consulting the states”. States have issues particularly related to exemptions and reductions in taxes, some of which are not discussed despite several letters written to the Council, he said “Henceforth, the agenda items (should) be fixed taking into consideration the requests of the states also,” Ramakrishnudu said adding that even Karnataka, Kerala and Delhi governments have supported this point. The minister, who attended the 32nd GST Council meeting in New Delhi, also demanded early release of the unsettled Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) amount of Rs 7,000 crore to the state governments. “This ad hoc settlement should also be done and released to the states without delay. Andhra Pradesh is expected to get about Rs 100 crore,” he added.     To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.