Bengaluru: Agriculture minister Krishna Byregowda came in for praise from CM Siddaramaiah for effectively representing Karnataka’s case before the GST (Goods and Services Tax) Council.
Before obtaining the approval of the Council for the GST bill on Monday, Mr Siddaramaiah said, “Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told me that your minister, Krishna Byregowda placed his points well before the GST council. Our minister also gave an excellent explanation about GST in the orientation meeting held for legislators on the subject,” he said.
Opposition leader K.S. Eshwarappa and BJP member Lehar Singh too praised Mr Byregowda for doing a good job in the GST council. While seeking approval for the bill, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that if Karnataka needs any changes, these have to be placed before the GST council and only if the council agrees can the amendments be made.
Then Union Finance minister P. Chidambaram introduced GST in 2006-07 budget stating that it would come into effect from 2010. But due to stiff opposition from BJP governments in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress led UPA government was unable to get the bill through. Now these BJP ruled states have taken a U-turn and approved the bill just because the BJP is in power at the Centre, he recalled.
Taking objection to the CM politicizing the issue, Opposition leader K. S. Eshwarappa said the credit should go to PM Modi for implementing GST.
