Kolkata: The Bengal govt will air its concerns and put forward its suggestions at the GST Council Meeting in Kolkata scheduled in the second week of July, state finance minister Swapan Dasgupta said on Sunday, speaking on the sidelines of the 34th annual general meeting of the All Bengal Principal’s Council.The GST Council Meeting will be the first meeting of a constitutional body in the state since the assembly elections. “We will be able to put forward Bengal’s concerns, suggestions and fiscal condition of the state govt before the Union finance minister,” Dasgupta said.Sources said the Bengal govt might raise the next round of indirect tax reforms and will also attempt to showcase itself as an investment destination by hosting the meeting.“The entire country is looking forward to how Bengal is taking it forward. Everyone wants to cooperate with us. Hosting the GST Council Meeting is a big honour for Bengal. Let’s move forward and regain the state’s lost glory. We will be able to impress the states,” Dasgupta said.Dasgupta and state industries minister Tapas Roy met Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal for lunch on Friday. After the meeting, Dasgupta wrote on Facebook: “An engaging afternoon discussing the future of Bengal’s economy with industries minister Tapas Roy and economist Sanjeev Sanyal.”At the principals’ council meet, Dasgupta said the state had to regain its importance in the education sector. “We are ready to provide financial support. We can also take up issues with the University Grants Commission. But principals have to enforce a change of culture the state got habituated to in the past several years,” he added.
