Punjab CM slams Harsimrat on Golden Temple GST refund

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh here on Sunday slammed Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal for her allegations that the state had not kept its word of paying its share in the goods and services tax (GST) to Shri Harmandar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple.

Terming it yet another bunch of lies, he said as the Akali leadership was bereft of any meaningful political issue ahead of the upcoming Assembly by-elections, they were resorting to outright fabrications in a desperate bid to deceive people.

The Chief Minister said the Union Minister's statement had not even an iota of truth.

The state had not only notified 100 per cent GST refund for state's share in respect of Shri Darbar Sahib, Sri Durgiana Mandir and Sri Valmik Sthal and Ram Tirath, all holy shrines in Amritsar, but also allocated Rs 4 crore to the Deputy Commissioner, he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to refund the state's share of the GST not just for the this year but with effect from August 1, 2017 for all the three shrines.

Singh said Rs 4 crore was allotted by the Revenue Department after the requisite budgetary approvals from the Assembly and the Finance Department had relaxed guidelines of quarterly releases.IANS