GST woes

Officials and ministers at the meeting of the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on goods and services tax (GST) were taken by surprise when K Rosaiah, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, criticised the draft constitutional amendment Bill on GST. Rosaiah was the first to speak on the proposed Bill and his criticism was surprising since the government was counting on Congress-led states for support. Listening to Rosaiah’s remarks, a non-Congress state finance minister whispered into the ears of a senior finance ministry official, “He is speaking against your Congress.” The official replied, “I’m not from Congress, sir.”