Himachal Pradesh suffers GST losses: CM Sukhu

Shimla, June 9 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses after the implementation of the Goods and Service tax (GST) as the state with a population of 75 lakh, is not a consumer state, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Monday.

Talking to PTI Videos here, he said that "there has been no advantage to us after GST as we are not a consumer state and states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal have benefitted from the GST."

"Our population is 75 lakh and we have suffered losses following GST's implementation despite being the biggest pharma hub, there has been no benefit as far as industry is concerned. Earlier we used to get Rs 4,000 crore through value added tax (VAT) and excise duty and now we receive just Rs 150 crore from the GST", he said.

Referring to the border tourism initiative, Sukhu said, "Shipki-La used to be a trade route in the olden days but trade was reduced after the 1962 war, and we felt that opening this route would give a boost to Border tourism. We spoke to the defence minister Rajnath Singh in this regard and are happy that the defence ministry gave permission", he said.

The Border Tourism initiative, launched in coordination with the Union Government will enable regulated tourist access to strategically important yet culturally vibrant locations such as Lepcha-La, Shipki-La, Gue Monastery, Khana, Dumti, the Rani area of Sangla, and Chitkul in Kinnaur district, along with selected areas in Lahaul-Spiti.

Source : https://money.rediff.com/news/market/himachal-pradesh-suffers-gst-losses-cm-sukhu/28278220250609