Package needed but what about states' GST share: Shiv Sena

Mumbai, May 12 () The Shiv Sena on Tuesday saidthe Rs 20 lakh crore package announced by the Prime MinisterNarendra Modi was needed, but added that he should have alsotalked about giving the states their Goods and Services Tax(GST) share.

Maharashtra, worst-affected by the coronaviruspandemic, should get a major share of assistance, said Senaspokesperson Manisha Kayande.

The NCP, Sena's ally in Maharashtra, said it hopedthe package did not meet the fate of the one announced by Modifor Bihar in 2015.

In a big push to revive the economy, Modi on Tuesdayannounced a Rs 20 lakh crore package which combined thegovernment's recent announcements on supporting key sectors asalso measures rolled out by the Reserve Bank of India.

"He should have talked about that (states' GST share).There is criticism of PM Cares Fund as it is not under theRight to Information Act. He should have talked about thattoo," the Sena spokesperson said.

"The most affected states like Maharashtra should begiven more share....Mumbai is the country's financial capital.We expect they will give more (money) to Maharashtra and giveGST share to the state," she added.

Kayande also said that the prime minister should haveexplained how the fourth phase of the lockdown will beimplemented.

"Let's see how it unfolds. We will wait for thedetails. But it should not go the way Bihar's package went,"Maharashtra Minister and NCP national spokesperson Nawab Maliksaid.

Modi had announced a Rs 1.25 lakh crore package forBihar in 2015, but opposition parties had questioned how muchit actually amounted to.

"It should be a separate package. It should not belike an advanced payment. It should be a package," Malikadded. ENMKRK KRK