Andhra Pradesh backs GST reforms proposed by Centre

AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh government has asserted its support for next-generation GST reforms proposed by the Centre.

Participating in the 56th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav stated that the State government fully supports the reforms being proposed by the centre.

He called it a measure taken in the best interest of the ‘poorest of the poor.’

The two-day meeting is expected to take up a major revamp of GST slabs, compliance simplification measures, and next-generation reforms.

Speaking about the Andhra Pradesh government’s stand, Finance Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Payyavula Keshav said the reforms were in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement of a “Diwali gift” for the people.

“As an alliance partner, the Andhra Pradesh government supports these reforms in the GST sector being proposed by the Government of India. Most of them are aimed at helping the common man and the poorest of the poor. They cover critical sectors such as food, education, health, steel, cement, and textiles,” Minister Keshav said.