New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Opposition-ruled States have extended their support to cut the number of GST rate slabs and the rates for mass consumption items, while demanding a mechanism to ensure the benefits get passed on to consumers, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday.
He also said the Congress hopes that next week's GST Council meeting would not be just a "headline-grabbing exercise so typical of the (Narendra) Modi Government".
According to Ramesh, the eight Opposition-ruled States have also demanded compensation to all States for a period of five years, with 2024-25 as the base year, since their revenues are bound to be adversely impacted by the rate cuts.
They have demanded additional levies on sin and luxury goods over and ...