BJD demand for Green Cess in GST rejected

NEW DELHI: In a division vote in Lok Sabha Wednesday, BJD’s demand for a Green Cess in GST was rejected. Reiterating the party’s position on GST, senior party MP Tathagata Satapathy had sought an amendment to include a Green Tax provision in the Constitutional amendment bill. “We would request the minister that keeping in mind the pollution of water, air, health hazards, everything that affects our people, the government should consider including the green tag component in the GST and not neglect it, but bring it as an amendment in this very move itself,” Satpathy said. Highlighting the apathy of the central government towards the eastern states, he said, “When you are addressing the problems of Punjab and Haryana because they are foodgrains- producing states, you must also specifically address the problems of states like Orissa, Bengal, Bihar and such other states that are also mineral producing states.” Cuttack MP, Bhartruhari Mahatab demanded a division of vote on the Green Tax aspect in GST. The motion, however, was rejected with only 44 members supporting and 283 members voting against.