Finance Ministers and representatives of Opposition-ruled States on Wednesday met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and expressed their concern over the delay in release of GST compensation which they said has put them in an acute financial position.
The Finance Ministers of Delhi, Punjab, Puducherry and Madhya Pradesh and representatives Kerala, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh and West Bengal attended the meeting over delay in payment of compensation. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said the Government is under obligation to pay the compensation which is pending for August and September.
“We discussed that issue with the Finance Minister. Even the compensation for the next period (October-November) will be due now, so August-November. Government is under obligation to pay.”
So far, the State has not received compensation for the month of August and September and post December 10, compensation for the period October-November will also be due, he mentioned.
“The Finance Minister assured us that the compensation will be released as early as possible but she did not specify any timeline,” he said. Asked about meeting with states on GST compensation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Some of state finance ministers met and they have requested compensation amount to be given...All of us are duty-bound to safeguard the interest of States.”
The Centre will ensure that the rights of states in terms of compensation under the Goods and Services Tax are protected, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Thakur said.