Central government The Centre has also urged the states to ensure timely tax transfers and payment of GST compensation dues, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. In a pre-budget meeting with state finance ministers, Sitharaman also asked them to avail the scheme under which the Centre provides 50-year interest-free loans to states to undertake targeted reforms. The Union finance minister underlined the Centre’s support to states through timely tax transfers, Finance Commission grants and GST compensation dues to spur growth, an official statement said.
Appreciated the ‘Special Assistance Scheme’
Sitharaman also mentioned the special assistance scheme to states for capital investment. Most of the states appreciated the Centre’s ‘Special Assistance Scheme to States for Capital Investment’ and made some suggestions for further improvement. The participants also gave several suggestions to the Union Finance Minister for the General Budget for the financial year 2024-25, the statement said. Rajasthan Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari told reporters that they sought an increase in allocation for Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP), Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), some national highway projects and railway lines.
Make sure they get their fair share
Karnataka Finance Minister Krishna Byre Gowda demanded the release of Rs 5,300 crore from the assistance already announced for the Upper Bhadra Water Project and declaration of it as a national project. He also demanded inclusion of cess and surcharge in the divisible pool so that states get their fair share in central taxes.
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