TRS created ruckus in LS, Demand GST exemption for welfare schemes

Welfare Schemes Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha and low cost housing projects for the poor

New Delhi: Telangana Rashtra Samiti members created a ruckus in the Lok Sabha on Friday demanding Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption for some of its state sponsored welfare schemes.

The schemes include Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha and low cost housing projects for the poor.

The Telangana members ended their protest after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley assured them that he would bring the issue to the notice of the GST Council.

Raising the matter in the Lower House TRS leader Jithender Reddy said that due to 18 per cent GST rate, some of the projects in the state have come to a standstill.

“Financial implication will hamper severely the projects. All these projects are for poor people and for public use. Due to 18 per cent GST the state government is facing additional financial burden,” Reddy said.

“Our Chief Minister has also written to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) in this regard,” he said.

Responding to this, Jaitley said he would bring it to the notice of the GST Council.

Mission Bhagiratha is a drinking water scheme, while Mission Kakatiya is a scheme for revival of tanks.

–IANS