Bharatiya Janata Party’s Telangana unit has accused Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of resorting to “falsehood and lies” with regard to the GST burden on the flagship programmes being taken up by the TS Government.
“How did he arrive at ₹19,000 crore burden even as he has asked officials concerned to study the GST impact on various schemes? KCR is trying to blame the Centre and trying to hoodwink TS people. It is nothing but irresponsible political rhetoric. Did he not praise GST during its launch so change his tune now?” asked party chief K. Laxman on Monday.
At a press conference held at the party office, he said the party condemned the CM’s statements against the Centre and pointed out that all the decisions were taken by the States with the Union Government through a consensus method in a democratic spirit at the GST Council.
“Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has already stated that if there are any anomalies, they be brought to the council notice and can be corrected if backed by sufficient data. The CM can put across his objections at the next council meeting to be held here next month,” said Dr. Laxman.
He termed exaggerated the ₹2.30 lakh crore money which the TS Government claimed to be spending on programmes like Mission Bhagiratha, Mission Kakatiya, two-bedroom housing, and irrigation projects. “Under GST, the tax rate on cement, steel, and concrete — all key ingredients for the projects — has been reduced. So what is his grouse,” he wondered.
Advising KCR to maintain the dignity of his post and avoid making “threats” to the Centre, the BJP State president said his party was ready to take up the issue with the Centre if the Government provided precise facts and figures on the impact of GST on the programmes.