Maharashtra CM Thackeray writes to FM Nirmala Sitharaman; makes 'expeditious' request

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman requesting her to release pending dues of state to tune of Rs.15,558.05 crore. He claimed that Maharashtra had received less than budgetary amount mandated as tax devolution. Moreover, Thackeray observed that an amount of Rs. 8611.76 crore was due as GST compensation. Hinting at financial stress on State coffers, Maharashtra CM asked her to expedite transfer of state’s legitimate share of funds which would help to sustain developmental programmes of state.  

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Protest in Parliament

Earlier, in day, several parties such as Shiv Sena, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and Trinamool Congress (TMC) raised ir pitch in Parliament demanding Centre to release GST dues to ir respective states. As soon as Question Hour commenced, se parties disrupted proceedings by sloganeering. In fact, Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned for an hour over delay in release of GST payments to states. Previously, representatives of various states held a meeting with Sitharaman pertaining to this issue. After introduction of GST, Centre had assured states of compensating m for revenue shortfall for first 5 years.  

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Sena's conflicting stance on CAB

Meanwhile, Thackeray-led Shiv Sena has hinted at taking a divergent position on Citizenship Amendment Bill in Rajya Sabha. As its MPs voted for legislation in Lower House, Congress top brass reportedly got upset with this move. reafter, both Maharashtra CM as well as party MP Sanjay Raut stated that Sena would t support Bill in Upper House until all its concerns were addressed. Currently, Shiv Sena is a constituent of Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra. 

Read: Telangana CM KCR Urges FM Sitharaman To Release Rs 4,531 Cr GST Dues

(With PTI inputs)