Doubtful if GST will roll out from next year: Walia

NEW DELHI - Delhi Finance Minister A.K. Walia Monday voiced doubts about the rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from April next year and said Delhi’s demand to keep petroleum items, compressed natural gas, liquor and electricity have found support from other states.

Speaking to IANS after the empowered committee of state finance ministers’ meeting on the issue in Goa, Walia said the city government’s insistence on keeping healthcare services and education out of the GST did not find support.

Walia said the next meeting of the committee headed by West Bengal Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta will take place within a month.

The Delhi government has been firm on keeping the petroleum products, CNG and healthcare services out of the GST to balance the financial losses.