Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said that the government of West Bengal is planning to set up a GST Appellate Tribunal in Siliguri. Its objective is to address GST-related issues faced by businesses in North Bengal.
Earlier in the day, a pre-budget consultation meeting was conducted before the presentation of the state Budget on June 20. This meeting aimed to collect suggestions and demands for industrial, commercial and economic development in North Bengal.
Nishith Pramanik, Minister for North Bengal Development Department; Anandamay Barman, Minister of State for Finance; industrialists; business associations; and representatives from various districts of North Bengal attended this meeting.
The topics in the meeting were towards the overall economic development of North Bengal, and the main focus was on GST-pertinent issues, the condition of the tea industry, marketing and export of Malda mangoes, promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), tourism development, and problems encountered by the business community.
Dasgupta, while addressing the demand for a GST Appellate Tribunal in Siliguri, stated that businesses encounter issues in GST-pertinent cases and appeals.
“I consider this a justified demand. Therefore, all necessary steps will be taken to establish a GST Appellate Tribunal in Siliguri in the coming days,” he stated.
The minister observed that specific GST-related demands cannot be solved by the state and shall be raised with the central government in New Delhi.
Addressing stakeholder worries from the tea industry, Dasgupta stated that various tea garden matters were flagged to the government and will be reviewed by relevant departments before budget inclusion.
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The minister also added that, “The past government used to make the Budget on trade mills, but we will take the opinions of people. The objective of this government is different.
The budget will be framed keeping in mind the welfare and development of all sections of society. Economic growth and business development are essential for the overall progress of the state.”
