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Fuel under GST to affect states’ revenue: Chief Ministers
New Delhi, Oct 6 (IANS) Opposing the idea of bringing fuel products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), three Chief Ministers from different political parties on Saturday said it would have a negative impact on their revenue collection.
Speaking at the Hindustan Time Leadership Summit 2018, Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of the Congress-ruled Punjab, said his state’s economy was not in a good shape and it had become dependent on the Centre after the implementation of the GST last year.
“We do not have money to run the state. After the GST, we have nothing left in the state. We are dependent on the Centre. We do not have industry. We have hostile neighbour who keeps us on our toes. We have only agriculture to go on,” Singh said in a discussion, which was attended by his counterparts from Maharashtra and Karnataka.
“We have only three sources of revenue. One is fuel, one is excise and one is stamp duty on transfer of properties… As far as the real estate is concerned, Punjab has not moved ahead as yet because economy is not in good shape. Where do I get my revenue from?”
Endorsing Singh’s views, Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, who runs the Karnataka government with the support of the Congress, said the Centre must take measures to solve the issue.
“The founders of the Constitution allocated some powers to states. The Centre is gradually taking all powers from the states. State governments have no scope for tax collection. We have to be dependent on the Centre,” he said.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been demanding that petrol and diesel be brought under GST to reduce prices.
Responding to a question on Gandhi’s stand on the issue, Kumaraswamy said: “That is his opinion. According to my opinion, the Centre has to take some severe measures.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said he agreed with Singh’s views “to some extent” saying the GST had left states with little flexibility to have their own revenue.
However, he said he supported the idea of bringing fuel products under the GST saying “At some point of time, we have to do it.”
“At the same time, we should think of alternatives. If we go on importing, we are going to play into the hands of the countries manufacturing (producing oil),” he said.
Fadnavis asked for production of bio-fuel and ethanol using agriculture produce as an alternative to crude oil.
“There is so much of agriculture production today that we do not know where to keep. States are buying produce (from farmers) but we do not know how to sell. It is a huge mess,” he said.
“Now, we have sufficient foodgrains in our country, we can convert it into bio-fuel, ethanol. The second generation ethanol policy is there. We need to invest more into that. If in Brazil, 100 per cent ethanol can replace petrol and diesel, why can’t we?”
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.