New Delhi: Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal hit out at the union government during the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting and pointed out that the ‘One nation, one tax, one tribunal’ concept is antithetical to federalism. According to Balagopal, the policy framework grabbing the powers of the states cannot be backed.

Meanwhile, the meeting concluded without any final decision on the formation of GST Appellate Tribunal. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal raised contentions. Interestingly, even BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh expressed its disagreement with GST tribunal formation, said reports.

However, reports suggest GST council reached a broad consensus on GST tribunal formation. Briefing media after the GST council meeting, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed that the Council adopted the report of the Group of Ministers on the GST tribunal with certain modifications. The final draft amendments to the GST laws will be circulated to Members for their comments. She also hinted that the draft on the same will be ready by the next GST council meeting.

With PTI inputs