Thomas Isaac

GST compensation: States say Centre staring at sovereign default; GST Council sees first-ever voting

In a development with far-reaching implications, non-BJP ruled states on Wednesday said the union government may be headed for a sovereign default as it has refused to assure them of paying on time the GST dues guaranteed to them through a Constitutional amendment

GST Council meet starts today: Delhi, Kerala demand no major decision on real estate and lottery, seek deferment

The finance ministry, however, issued a media advisory stating that the 33rd GST Council meeting would be held on 20 February.

Sabarimala violence is second disaster in Kerala after floods, says state finance minister Thomas Isaac

Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac described the violence over entry into the Sabarimala Temple as the “second disaster” following the devastating floods

Sabarimala temple row: CPM, BJP trade charges on violence in Kerala; UN calls for respecting rule of law

The violent protests which erupted across Kerala this week over the Sabarimala temple controversy sparked off a number of reactions on Twitter.

GST Council discusses revenue shortfall, sets up seven-member ministerial panel on 'calamity tax'

The finance ministry has targeted monthly GST collections to be Rs 1 lakh crore for this fiscal, but the actual mop up has been less with the sole exception of April

Kerala finance minister announces special lottery to raise funds towards Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund

Thomas Issac told the media that each lottery ticket would cost Rs 250. The entire proceeds of the lottery will go to the CMDRF for Kerala.

Kerala, After The Flood: 70,000 people volunteer for clean-up drive in Kuttanad, aim to clear debris from 1 lakh buildings

State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and PWD Minister G Sudhakaran launched the drive in Kerala, where volunteers will clean around one lakh buildings in Kainakary, Nedumudi and other areas of Kuttanad in Alappuzha districts.

Kerala, After The Flood: Pinarayi Vijayan urges Malayalis to donate one month's salary to help rebuild state

As Kerala struggles to stand on her feet, water-logging of homes in various places, especially in Kuttanad region of the worst hit Alapuzha district continues to be a worrying factor.

Kerala floods: Narendra Modi govt cites policy in refusing aid from UAE, but 2015 scheme allows aid

Faced with the destruction left by the worst monsoon floods in 94 years, 1.2 million in relief camps and now over 400 dead, Kerala has been appealing to the public and private donors to help reconstruction efforts.

Amit Malviya attacks Kerala govt over section aligned to 'Communist-Islamist nexus' celebrating non-existent UAE aid

Amit Malviya, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) national head of Information and Technology, on Friday attacked the Kerala government with regard to the UAE aid. He expressed his concerns over the CPI-M government — which he calls a section aligned to the "Communist-Islamist nexus"— celebrating a "non-existing" offer from UAE and ignoring Indian organisations