Breakdown of spirit of cooperative federalism at GST Council meetings: Bengal Minister

Amit Mitra writes to Nirmala Sitharaman

West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra on Wednesday wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman alleging that there has been a steady breakdown of the spirit of cooperative federalism in GST Council meetings. “What pains me the most is the fact that the GST Council Meetings have become acrimonious, vexing and almost toxic with erosion of mutual trust that held past between States and the Centre since inception,” he said. He urged her to consider a “course correction” in the manner of functioning of the council. “We will respond in equal measure if you bring back consensual atmosphere that has defined GST Council since its inception,” he noted.