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<keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">Finance</keyword> Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> presented the Union <keyword id="19936553" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="budget" source="keywords">Budget</keyword> 2024-25 on Tuesday, outlining a detailed financial roadmap aimed at driving economic growth and ensuring fiscal stability. The budget reveals a comprehensive picture of government revenues and expenditures, highlighting major <keyword id="20439675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="allocations" source="keywords">allocations</keyword> to key <keyword id="20353247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sectors" source="keywords">sectors</keyword> and <keyword id="19915334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="schemes" source="keywords">schemes</keyword>. The <keyword id="19945274" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenue" source="keywords">revenue</keyword> to the government is generated from multiple sectors. Income tax contributes 19 per cent, borrowings and liabilities stand as the largest source at 27 per cent, and <keyword id="19951327" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst" source="keywords">GST</keyword> along with other taxes accounts for 18 per cent. Corporation taxes contribute 17 per cent, followed by non-tax receipts at 9 per cent, customs at 4 per cent, excise duty at 5 per cent, and non-debt capital receipts at 1 per cent. On the <keyword id="19936655" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expenditure" source="keywords">expenditure</keyword> side, the budget outlines significant allocations to various public sectors. Interest payments consume 19 per cent of the total expenditure, central sector schemes account for 16 per cent, and states' tax devolution takes up 21 per cent. Subsidies represent 6 per cent of the spending, while defence expenditures stand at 8 per cent. The Finance Commission and other transfers take up 9 per cent, centrally sponsored schemes another 8 per cent, pensions 4 per cent, and other expenses 9 per cent. In terms of sector-specific allocations, defence receives the highest allocation at Rs 4,54,773 crore. Rural development is allocated Rs 2,65,808 crore, reflecting the government's focus on boosting rural economies. Agriculture is set to receive Rs 1,51,851 crore, while home affairs are allocated Rs 1,50,983 crore, underscoring the importance of internal security. Education, a critical sector for future growth, is allocated Rs 1,25,638 crore. The IT and Telecom sector, pivotal for digital transformation, receives Rs 1,16,342 crore. Health is allocated Rs 89,287 crore, emphasising the ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. The energy sector is earmarked Rs 68,769 crore, social welfare Rs 56,501 crore, and commerce and industry Rs 47,559 crore. The budget also highlights significant increases in allocations to major schemes. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) sees an increase from Rs 60,000 crore in FY23-24 to Rs 86,000 crore in FY24-25, aimed at enhancing rural employment. Nuclear power projects receive a boost from Rs 442 crore to Rs 2,228 crore, while the development of semiconductors sees a substantial increase from Rs 3,000 crore to Rs 6,900 crore, underscoring the push towards technological advancement. Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG is allocated Rs 1,500 crore, up from Rs 180 crore, to support energy access. Solar power allocation doubles from Rs 4,970 crore to Rs 10,000 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to renewable energy. This budget, with its detailed allocations and revenue plans, underscores the government's strategy to foster economic resilience, technological advancement, and sustainable growth.

Fund allocations to key sectors and schemes hiked in budget

The <keyword id="6355040" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="gst-council" source="Orion">GST Council</keyword> is likely to introduce an 18 per cent tax rate on corporate guarantees extended by parent companies to their subsidiary firms for getting loans from banks, according to reliable sources. The issue was taken up by the <keyword id="6354679" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gst" source="Orion">GST</keyword> Council's law committee during various meetings held recently. The law committee is of the view that extending a corporate guarantee is a related party transaction that is considered as a supply. The logic is that since supplies come in the 18 per cent GST bracket, this should also be applicable to corporate guarantees. The law committee has recommended adopting valuation rules in line with safe harbour rules under the <keyword id="6370810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax-act" source="Orion">Income Tax Act</keyword> for providing corporate guarantees. Under these rules, in eligible international transactions, the minimum acceptable commission/fee is 1 per cent of the amount guaranteed. Therefore, it was proposed that there is a need to consider adopting the same in the case of related party transactions under GST as well. The final decision will be taken at the GST Council meeting on Saturday. A corporate guarantee is an arrangement among group companies by which a parent company agrees to act as a guarantor for a subsidiary company while securing credit facilities from a bank. These arrangements are executed either without any consideration or with a nominal commission on the loan amount. The GST Council is also expected to take up the issue on whether this 18 per cent GST should be levied on personal guarantee, as well given by promoters/directors for loans given by banks to a company. In the case of a personal guarantee, the law committee cited the <keyword id="6354335" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="reserve-bank-of-india" source="Orion">Reserve Bank of India</keyword>'s mandate which states that no consideration by way of commission, brokerage fees, or any other form could be paid to the director by the company, directly or indirectly, in lieu of providing a personal guarantee to the bank for borrowing credit limits. This appears to suggest that the 18 per cent GST is not strictly applicable in cases of personal guarantees.

GST Council likely to levy 18% tax rate on corporate guarantees for loans

Chennai, Tamil Nadu's ruling <keyword id="19897149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dmk" source="keywords">DMK</keyword>, a key constituent of the INDIA bloc, in its manifesto released on Wednesday promised to repeal the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 if the opposition alliance wins the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls. Restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding polls there, scrapping the New Education Policy 2020, slashing fuel prices, annulling Article 361 of the Constitution that provides protection to governors from legal action and appointment of Governors following consultation with Chief Ministers, were among the key promises made by the DMK. The recommendations of the M S Swaminathan committee will be adopted to ensure that MSP for agricultural products "is set at total production cost plus 50 per cent," the DMK said. Also, it announced that if voted to power, the INDIA bloc will withdraw the Agnipath scheme and reintroduce "permanent recruitment service" in the Indian Armed forces. "From now on, population census, including caste-wise census and census concerning people below the poverty line, will be conducted by the Union government once every five years simultaneously." The DMK will firmly insist on the removal of Article 356, which allows the dismissal of duly elected state governments and imposition of President's rule. The Congress party's ally in Tamil Nadu said that "new constraints" on States' borrowing capacity, imposed by the union government beyond the limits in each state's FRBM-equivalent Act will be eliminated. "A recommendation to share cess revenues with states will be made. It will be proposed that the Finance Commission increase the horizontal devolution of tax revenue (to all States together) from 42 per cent to 50 per cent." The Union government's financial contributions to states will be based on the income tax and GST collected in those states. Thus, financial contributions will be assured based on the taxes collected within each state. The finance provided to states will be permanently determined based on the 1971 population. A 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies will be implemented immediately. "DMK will insist that the Union government enact a law providing menstrual leave to women, emphasizing the journey towards gender equality." Petrol and diesel prices "will be set at Rs 75, Rs 65 (per litre)" and cooking gas cylinders shall be made available at Rs 500 (per cylinder). "The introduction of the Uniform Civil Code will be strictly prevented" to preserve India's secular nature as stated in the Constitution's preamble. "The 2019 CAA law will be repealed, and all minorities will be treated equally without any discrimination. The recommendations of the Sachar Committee for the improvement of the lives of Muslims and other minority communities will be implemented." Facilitation will be provided for <keyword id="21027983" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sri-lankan-tamil" source="keywords">Sri Lankan Tamil</keyword> refugees to get Indian citizenship. Assistance will be provided to those who wish to return to Sri Lanka. Also, the manifesto said efforts will be made to implement reservation for minorities at the all-India level, similar to Tamil Nadu. "The financial assistance previously provided to minority educational institutions has now been stopped. Action will be taken to resume this assistance." For "political" reasons, funding from foreign countries to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has currently been stopped. "The Foreign Exchange Regulation Act will be properly amended, and measures will be taken to ensure these financial aids continue to reach NGOs without any problems." The proposal of 'One Nation, One Election' will be abandoned, and for the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to states, the current practice, based on the 1971 census will continue. All "people-unfriendly" laws introduced by the BJP government over the last 10 years will be reviewed immediately by the INDIA alliance government. The "labour-hostile laws" introduced by the BJP government will be "reformed." Through the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF), the Union government will ensure a minimum pension of Rs 5,000 per month. The number of working days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act will be increased from 100 to 150 days. "A wage of Rs 400 will be provided across states/ union territories nationwide." Disbanding the current NITI Aayog, set up by the BJP regime and establishing again the Planning Commission to draft plans based on the requests of state governments is another assurance the DMK has made. "Measures will be taken to reclaim Kachchatheevu to ensure India's security and to protect the welfare of the fishermen." A mandatory "cooling-off period" of 2 years will be introduced for retired judges and secretaries before they could join private companies or political parties, the manifesto said. Waiving loans and interests for farmers in nationalised and scheduled banks, waiver of educational loans for students, monthly entitlement of Rs 1,000 for all women in every state and formation of <keyword id="21027984" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="state-development-council" source="keywords">State Development Council</keyword> by including Chief Ministers were among the promises made by the DMK. Exemption for Tamil Nadu from the NEET exam and complete removal of toll booths on national highways, forms part of poll promises of the Dravidian party. Further, the DMK said amendments will be made to relevant laws to ensure that state governments, elected by the people, appoint Vice-Chancellors to state-run universities, rather than Governors. Stopping government's divestment from public sector enterprises, implementing the Sethusamudram project, law to ban online gambling, setting up a <keyword id="19895345" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="supreme-court" source="keywords">Supreme Court</keyword> branch in Chennai, providing statehood for <keyword id="19901639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="puducherry" source="keywords">Puducherry</keyword>, equal funding for all state languages including Tamil, were among the host of other promises made by the DMK. Establishment of Tamil departments in varsities and stopping construction of <keyword id="19950851" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mekedatu" source="keywords">Mekedatu</keyword> dam were also promised by the DMK. "The <keyword id="19996334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vishwakarma-scheme" source="keywords">Vishwakarma Scheme</keyword>, introduced by the BJP government to encourage caste-based occupations, will be restructured on the basis of social justice."

DMK vows to repeal CAA if INDIA bloc is voted to power

A total of 13 states have so far decided on their borrowing options to meet their <keyword id="9933255" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-compensation-shortfall">GST compensation shortfall</keyword> and almost all have decided to go for the first option proposed by the Centre, source said. Out of the 13, 12 states have opted for the first option, under which the Union government has offered states that they could borrow the shortfall arising out of GST implementation, estimated at Rs 97,000 crore approximately. The amount would be borrowed through issue of debt under a special window coordinated by the Finance Ministry. The first option is to ensure steady flow of resources similar to the flow under <keyword id="2600993" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-compensation">GST compensation</keyword> on a bi-monthly basis. Under this option, the Centre will endeavour to keep the cost at or close to the G-secs yield, and in the event of the cost being higher, will bear the margin between G-secs and average of State Development Loan yields up to 0.5 per cent through a subsidy. The states which have preferred to opt for this option are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Odisha. Only Manipur has so far opted for the second borrowing option under which states can borrow the entire compensation shortfall of Rs 2.35 lakh crore, including the Covid-impact portion, through issue of market debt. Six more states -- Goa, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh -- will be giving their choice in a day or two, said people in the know. A few states have submitted their views to the Chairperson of the GST Council but are yet to decide on the options, according to sources. In the 41st GST Council meeting last month, the Centre had proposed both options, so that a mechanism could be put in place as an exception this year, as Covid-19 disruptions and lower revenue collections have made it difficult for the Centre to meet its obligation on Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation to states. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/top-stocks-to-watch-future-retail-ril-irctc-bhel-tata-motors-adani-green-vodafone-idea-godrej-properties-sunteck-realty-and-more/articleshow/78097615.cms">Top stocks to watch— Future Retail, RIL, IRCTC, BHEL, Tata Motors, Adani Green, Vodafone Idea, Godrej Properties, Sunteck Realty and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-police-arrests-umar-khalid-connection-with-northeast-delhi-riots/articleshow/78097740.cms">Delhi Police arrests Umar Khalid in connection with Northeast Delhi riots</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/tiktok-owner-bytedance-rejected-microsofts-offer-for-the-apps-us-operations/articleshow/78097018.cms">TikTok owner ByteDance rejected Microsoft's bid for the app's US operations, Oracle reportedly chosen as US 'technology partner'</a>

13 states decide on GST compensation — only Manipur opts for borrowing entire shortfall in one go

New Delhi, Mar 14 () With cess kitty falling short to compensate the states for revenue loss, the government will look into the legality of GST Council borrowing from market to meet the compensation requirements under the Goods and Services Tax.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this year Rs 80,000 crore has been collected as compensation cess, but states have been given Rs 1.20 lakh crore.With states raising the issue of shortfall in compensation kitty, there were discussions on resorting to market borrowing to meet the revenue guarantee to states."There were suggestions recalling what late Arun Jaitley had said about there can be ways that the Council can probably even borrow from the market. So all this was discussed and I have very clearly said that I am committed to giving the compensation as is being collected," she told reporters after the 39th GST Council meeting here. Sitharaman further said that after Parliament session gets over, she would at how, if at all, the Council is allowed to borrow - who stands guarantee for it, how will it be paid, what is the interest that will be given. "All these things will have to be legally looked into. So I have told the Council today that I will have to look at all these things, get more information, legally get the opinion and then come back to the Council as to what I have in my hand. I also said if the Council have to go borrowing I will also have to see what the impact of such a thing will be on the FRBM," she said.Under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law, states are guaranteed compensation for revenue loss for five years if their revenue does not increase 14 per cent on the base year of 2015-16.The minutes of the 7th GST Council meeting state that the chairperson of the GST Council (the Union Finance Minister) had said, "... compensation would be funded out of the cess mechanism, which would have a pool of revenue and if there was any shortfall in this pool, it could be supplemented by some mechanism that the Council might decide". There were no differences between the Centre and states with regard to compensation payment in 2017-18, 2018-19, and in the first four months of the current fiscal. However, with revenue mop-up from compensation cess falling inadequate, the Centre held back fund transfer to states for revenue shortage beginning August.Sitharaman said after 2-3 weeks of the conclusion of Parliament session, a special meeting of the GST Council would be called to discuss the idea and the Council can take a considered view.Under the GST structure, taxes are levied under 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent slabs. On top of the highest tax slab, a cess is levied on luxury, sin and demerit goods and the proceeds from the same are used to compensate states for any revenue loss.During July 2017-March 2018, Rs 48,785 crore was released, while between April 2018-March 2019, Rs 81,141 crore was paid to states. For April-May and June -July last year, Rs 17,789 crore and Rs 27,956 crore were released. Further, Rs 35,298 crore was paid to states as compensation for August-September 2019 and another Rs 19,950 crore was released in February 2020. JD MRMR

Govt to look into legality of market borrowing by GST Council to compensate states' revenue loss

States which failed to submit their options before the <keyword id="3680839" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-council-meeting">GST Council meeting</keyword> in October will have to wait for at least two years to get compensation on Goods and Services Tax collection shortfall expected during the transition period, Finance Ministry sources said on Monday. The sources said that such states will have to wait till June 2022 to get compensation dues, subject to the condition that the GST Council extends the cess collection period beyond 2022. This is so because the Council is expected to adopt one of the two options given by the Centre to meet the <keyword id="2600993" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-compensation">GST compensation</keyword> needs of the states this year. The states which decide against operationalisation of the new <keyword id="9971535" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gst-compensation-formula">GST compensation formula</keyword> will get their dues only to the extent of compensation cess collected in FY21 and distributed in proportion among all states and union territories. The balance shortfall will only be met from the collection of GST compensation cess beyond the five-year transition period that ends in June 2022. This will be subject to GST Council approval to the extension of compensation cess. The GST Council, in its 41st meeting on August 27, 2020, had decided to give its member-states two borrowing options to meet their compensation shortfall and a response time of 7 working days from the formal receipt of the detailed proposal on the options by email. Almost 15 states had submitted their options by September 15 and more have joined since. Option-1 on GST compensation brought before the Council last month allows states to borrow, under a special dispensation from the Reserve Bank of India, a sum of about Rs 97,000 crore shortfall calculated by the Centre that is directly on account of GST implementation. Option-2 allows states to borrow the entire projected GST compensation shortfall of Rs 2,35,000 crore (total shortfall of Rs 3 lakh crore minus Rs 65,000 crore collected as GST compensation cess) for FY21. So far, 21 states/UTs have expressed preference for Borrowing Option-1 proposed by the Centre. With GST Act requiring voting for any resolution regarding an option by at least 20 states, the move is expected to be adopted by the GST Council at its meeting next month. If this option is indeed adopted, all states would be able to move ahead and borrow under the scheme suggested by the Centre to meet their shortfall arising due to GST switchover. If states still opt out, they will have to wait to get full compensation. Among the 21 states/UTs which support the first option on GST compensation are Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. Manipur, the only state which had earlier opted for Option-2, later preferred to change it to Option-1. A few more states are, also, to give their borrowing option in a day or two. However, some of them like Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, NCT of Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and West Bengal are yet to respond to the GST Council proposal to decide their options. Under the existing GST Act, compensation for shortfall in GST collections over an agreed formula is payable by the Centre for the first five years of the operation of the new tax system from July 2017 to June 2022. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-ten-phishing-examples-and-tricks-used-by-companies-to-test-their-employees-cybersecurity-smarts/slidelist/78228072.cms">Top ten phishing tricks that companies are using to test their employees’ cybersecurity smarts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/markets/news/indian-tech-companies-hcl-tech-wipro-infosys-tcs-share-price-are-green-today/articleshow/78228700.cms">It’s not just the DWS deal, Morgan Stanley's outlook has painted HCL Tech green⁠ — along with TCS, Infosys and Wipro</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-hits-back-at-paytm-reiterates-that-repeated-policy-violations-will-lead-to-stricter-actions/articleshow/78229677.cms">Google hits back at Paytm ⁠— reiterates that ‘repeated policy violations’ will lead to stricter actions</a>

States not choosing GST compensation options by October will have wait another two years

The <keyword id="6355040" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-Council">GST Council</keyword> will meet here on Thursday to take up the single-point agenda of <keyword id="9025375" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-compensation-to-states">GST compensation to states</keyword> affected by delays in the release by the Centre, a government official privy to meeting agenda said. The meeting was earlier proposed in July, as announced by Union Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> after the first GST Council meeting in the backdrop of Covid-19 pandemic in June. "The Council will meet tomorrow with a single-point agenda to discuss the compensation cess. Any changes in the GST rates or cess structure would also relate to how timely compensation to the states could be released," the official said. Faced with sharp decline in GST collections due to the nationwide lockdown and disruptions in economic activities across the country, one of the options before the Centre is to pay <keyword id="2600993" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-compensation">GST compensation</keyword> to states by using a portion of its borrowings. The compensation has not been paid to the states since March. Even the compensation for March was delayed and paid in late July. A legal opinion on the matter sought by the Centre from the Attorney General earlier suggested that the former is under "no obligation to pay GST compensation shortfalls to the states" and it is the GST Council which has to decide on making good the shortfall in the goods and services tax compensation fund by putting sufficient amount into it. The AG had opined that the GST Council can recommend to the Centre to allow the states to borrow on the strength of the future receipts from the compensation fund, sources said. It would, however, be for the central government to take a final decision in the matter under Article 293(3) of the Constitution. "If there is need for borrowings to meet compensation to the states and who is going to borrow? How we are going to pay for it?" the Finance Minister had said about the Council meeting in June, hinting that the fall in revenues has become a huge cause of concern for the Centre to meet its liability towards the states as per the GST legislation. Under the GST law, states are guaranteed full compensation for any revenue loss for the first five years after the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017. The compensation is the difference between actually revenue collected and projected revenue. The projected revenue is revenue growth of 14 per cent for the states per year over the base year 2015-16. As per the GST Act, full compensation to the states has to be paid for a period of five years till FY22 only through the compensation fund that gets its money through the levy of GST compensation cess on a few items. However, with the fund not getting enough collections since August 2019, the GST compensation to the states has been delayed. The Centre is now looking at getting GST Council nod for a mechanism to finance the compensation. The situation vis-a-vis the GST revenue has worsened in April 2020, with several states indicating a shortfall in collections to the tune of 80-90 per cent of the average monthly collections during this time of the year. In fact, Delhi has said its GST collections may end up at a mere Rs 300 crore in April as against a collection of Rs 3,500 crore in the same month previous year. Other states like Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh are also facing severe revenue decline due to shrinking economic activities during the Covid-induced lockdown. The problem has continued into May as well. With economic activity and GDP growth projected to remain subdued for most part of FY21, the Centre is looking at all possible means on how it could meet its constitutional obligation of compensating the states for their revenue losses. After February, when the Centre released GST compensation of Rs 19,950 crore for October and November 2019, the Centre has cleared dues for December, January and February only now. In late July, the Centre released Rs 13,806 crore to the states as compensation for their revenue losses in the GST goods regime for March 2020. "The total amount of compensation released for the year 2019-20 is Rs 1,65,302 crore whereas the amount of cess collected during the year 2019-20 was Rs 95,444 crore," a government statement had said. The monthly compensation requirement for the states in 2020-21 is pegged at Rs 20,250 crore, government sources said, which leaves a big gap between what needs to be paid and what is getting collected. Even in FY21, monthly cess collections could be at a low Rs 7,000-8,000 crore, or even lower. According to previous releases of the Finance Ministry, in the FY 2017-18, a total GST compensation cess of Rs 62,611 crore was collected, of which Rs 41,146 crore was released to the states/UTs as GST compensation. In the FY 2018-19, Rs 95,081 crore was collected as GST compensation cess, of which Rs 69,275 crore was released to the states and UTs as GST compensation. As on March 31, 2019, Rs 47,271 crore collected as GST compensation cess remained unutilised after the release of GST compensation to the states and UTs in the FYs 2017-18 and 2018-19. Since the end of August 2019, the central government has started realising the impending precarious position in paying the GST compensation to the states and UTs as the compensation cess requirement was twice of the average monthly cess collection. The sources said that though the GST Council also has the option to either bring in more items under the cess base by expanding the base of GST cess items, or to increase cess rate on the existing items. Any increase in compensation cess on a few items could yield only about Rs 2,000-3,000 crore a year. Therefore, the Council in its earlier meeting also discussed other options like forego full cess compensation, which was increasing @14% per annum, or to go ahead with whatever compensation is available. One more option looked at was to raise the tax rate on items through rationalisation via shuffling of slab rates. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/if-you-have-a-bank-loan-that-you-are-unable-to-pay-restructuring-is-on-its-way/articleshow/77391894.cms">If you have a bank loan that you are unable to pay, restructuring is on its way</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/loan-moratorium-still-ends-on-aug-31-while-supreme-court-gives-the-government-another-week-to-clarify-if-accrued-interest-should-be-waived/articleshow/77758597.cms">Loan moratorium still ends on Aug 31 while Supreme Court gives the government another week to clarify if accrued interest should be waived</a>

GST Council meet on Thursday to figure out how states will be compensated for delays in payment

New Delhi, Dec 18 () In a development with far-reaching implications, non-BJP ruled states on Wednesday said the union government may be headed for a sovereign default as it has refused to assure them of paying on time the GST dues guaranteed to them through a Constitutional amendment.
 The showdown between the Centre and states, which started with delays in the monthly payment of compensation to states for loss of revenue from the rollout of Goods and Services Tax, escalated into shedding of the consensual approach to decision making for the very first time at the 38th meeting of the GST Council.
 While Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated her stand that the central government was committed to cooperative federalism, finance ministers of non-BJP ruled states such as Punjab and Kerala said she refused to give a categorical assurance that states will be paid compensation on time.
 "There is no gap within the Council. I don't know if it exists anywhere. In the Council, and in the Rajya Sabha, I have explained in detail about how we remain committed to cooperative federalism, and also to keep up all other promises given on GST," Sitharaman said.
 Speaking after attending the meeting of the GST Council -- the highest decision making body of the new tax regime, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said it was a sad day as the "Union Finance Minister could not give assurance whether states will be paid on time or not."
 "We were aware that revenue position was grim but we were not aware that it was grim to an extent where the Union Finance Minister could not give assurance in the Council whether states would be paid on time or not," he said. "As far as I am concerned, I think it is just close to a sovereign default where the Government of India is unable to pay its constitutional obligation."
 He said when GST was launched with much fanfare in July 2017, states were "led to believe revenue would go up, GDP growth would go up. Unless the Government of India can fix revenue concerns very very quickly, the whole consensus on GST would unravel. I don't think we need to be in panic mode. Things can be fixed. I want to say they need to be fixed quickly."
 Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said the Centre had sufficient money in the GST Compensation Fund but delayed payments since August. "It is great disappointment that they are not even able to assure that they will give us our due."
 He said the Council has in its minutes recorded assurance of the former union finance minister Arun Jaitley, under whom the GST was rolled out, that in case of a shortfall in the compensation fund, the Council can borrow and pay states. The period for levy of compensation cess may then be extended from five to six years to pay for the debt.
 West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said the country was staring at stagflation -- inflation with stagnant growth -- and there will be no compensation money after February to pay the states.
 In the Council meeting, the panel resorted to voting to decide whether a uniform tax on lotteries should be levied or a two-rate system be followed.
 Decisions in the previous 37 meetings of the GST Council, headed by the Union Finance Minister and comprising representatives of all states and UTs, had been taken unanimously. These included fixing of tax rates on dozens of goods and services but never had voting been done to decide on the issue.
 However, when the issue of levy of GST on lottery came up at the 38th meeting of the Council, consensus remained elusive, sources said. This led to a vote being taken to decide on the issue of interest to seven states where lottery is legal.
 As many as 21 states, mostly BJP ruled, voted for a uniform 28 per cent GST rate from March 1, overriding objections from others, they said, adding seven voted against it.
 Currently, dual GST rates are imposed on lotteries.
 The lottery industry has been pressing for a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent and removal of tax on the prize money, saying the existing dual rate is hampering growth of the business. Currently, GST of 12 per cent is levied on state lotteries sold within a state and 28 per cent on those sold outside that state.
 Sitharaman said consensus is a tradition but not a rule. "Every attempt was made to keep that set tradition alive. But eventually, the Council was reminded that the rules allow (voting) and the tradition is not part of the rule book," she said when asked by reporters about the voting on the lottery issue.
 "It (voting) is not imposed by the Council, it is not imposed by me as a chair but it was on request of one member," she said.
 Sources said that Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac wanted division on the proposal of uniform GST rate on lottery.
 On payment of compensation, Sitharaman said she reiterated the government's commitment to cooperative federalism and meeting its obligations at the Council meeting.
 She said one tranche of compensation for August and September was released just a couple of days back.
 Sitharaman had in the Rajya Sabha on December 12 stated that in 2017-18, the total cess collected was Rs 62,596 crore, of which Rs 41,146 crore was released to states. The remaining Rs 15,000 crore was accumulated in the cess fund. In the next year, Rs 95,081 crore was collected and Rs 69,275 crore released. DP NKD ANZ ANZ ABM
ABM

GST compensation: States say Centre staring at sovereign default; GST Council sees 1st ever voting

The upcoming Indian budget for 2023-24 will be a challenging one for the government to follow the roadmap for fiscal consolidation amidst a global environment of declining inflation, said a top economist of the <keyword id="6354731" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="state-bank-of-india" source="Orion">State Bank of India</keyword> in a report. For <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>, this could make things difficult to set a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) number significantly higher than 10 per cent, with a deflator of about 3.5 per cent. But this could also mean a higher GDP growth than anticipated at about 6.2 per cent, he said. He also said the fiscal deficit of the Indian government for FY23 will be about Rs.17.5 lakh crore. According to Dr. <keyword id="6448502" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="soumya-kanti-ghosh" source="Orion">Soumya Kanti Ghosh</keyword>, Group Chief Economic Adviser, SBI, for FY23, total receipts of the Government would be higher than the budget estimates (BE) by around Rs 2.3 lakh crore, on account of higher direct tax receipts (about Rs 2.2 lakh crore), higher GST receipts (Rs 95,000 crore) but lower dividends (about Rs 40,000 crore), lower fuel tax net of cess (Rs 30,000 crore) and lower disinvestment receipts (about Rs 15000-20,000 crore). "Meanwhile, expenditure is likely to be on the higher side of the BE by around Rs 3 lakh crore on account of higher subsidy bill and additional spending announced by the Government. Taking this into account, the fiscal deficit of the Government in FY23 is expected to come to Rs 17.5 lakh crore. However, higher nominal GDP growth (15.4 per cent) estimates will help in keeping the fiscal deficit at 6.4 per cent of the GDP," <keyword id="4757" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ghosh" source="Orion">Ghosh</keyword> said. As regards FY24, the government's expenditure is likely to increase by around 8.2 per cent over FY23 estimates to Rs 46 lakh crore, Ghosh said in the report. The subsidy bill which increased significantly in FY23 is estimated to be reduced in FY24 to around Rs 3.8-4 lakh crore and capital expenditure is expected to grow by 12 per cent. Meanwhile, receipts (minus borrowing and other liabilities) are expected to grow by about 12.1 per cent with tax revenue receipts growth likely at 11 per cent. With nominal GDP growth at 10 per cent, tax buoyancy is thus expected at close to 1.1 compared to the expected tax buoyancy of 1.5 in FY23. Thus, the fiscal deficit for FY24 is estimated at around Rs 17.95 lakh crore or 6 per cent of GDP in FY24, thereby resulting in fiscal consolidation of 40 bps from the current fiscal, the report notes. "As far as borrowing is concerned, we believe net market borrowing of the Centre in FY24 will be around Rs. 11.7 lakh crore and with repayments of Rs 4.4 lakh crore, gross borrowing is expected at Rs 16.1 lakh crore. We believe a switch of about Rs 50,000 crore is also likely to be announced," the report said. With higher tax devolution from the Centre, the states are likely to borrow around Rs 8 lakh crore in FY23, lower than earlier anticipated. "In FY24, the overall gross borrowing by Centre and States is likely to be Rs 24.3 lakh crore (Rs. 22.2lakh crore in FY23) and net borrowings Rs. 17 lakh crore (Rs 16.7 lakh crore in FY23). We further believe that the Government will continue to rely on small saving schemes (Rs 5 lakh crore likely in FY24). According to the report, the government can give a hard push to <keyword id="2757237" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sukanya-samriddhi-yojana" source="Orion">Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana</keyword> (SSY), by encouraging fresh registrations in a mission-drive mode, allowing one-time registrations for all leftover cases up to 12 years. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ongc-reliance-industries-paytm-siemens-among-stocks-in-focus/articleshow/97045293.cms">Sensex, Nifty50 likely to open on a tepid note amid mixed global cues: ONGC, Reliance Industries, Paytm, Siemens among stocks in focus</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/chinas-gdp-sinks-to-3-in-2022-second-lowest-in-50-years/articleshow/97047786.cms">China's GDP sinks to 3% in 2022, second lowest in 50 years</a>

You Searched For "states borrowing for gst" and got 9 results

Fund allocations to key sectors and schemes hiked in budget

ANI

GST Council likely to levy 18% tax rate on corporate guarantees for loans

IANS

DMK vows to repeal CAA if INDIA bloc is voted to power

PTI

13 states decide on GST compensation — only Manipur opts for borrowing entire shortfall in one go

IANS

Govt to look into legality of market borrowing by GST Council to compensate states' revenue loss

PTI

States not choosing GST compensation options by October will have wait another two years

IANS

GST Council meet on Thursday to figure out how states will be compensated for delays in payment

IANS

GST compensation: States say Centre staring at sovereign default; GST Council sees 1st ever voting

PTI

India's fiscal deficit for FY23 estimated at ₹17.5 L crore, FY24 ₹17.95 L crore: SBI

IANS

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