The ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, a key ally of UPA at the Centre, today opposed the Goods and Services Tax and the proposed Common Entrance Test for medical college admissions.
A resolution at the DMK parliamentary party meet requested the Centre to consult all States afresh before taking any final decision on GST, saying its introduction would affect the financial autonomy of States on taxation issues.
Later speaking to reporters, DMK Chief M Karunanidhi welcomed Finance Minister Pranab Mukerjee’s statement that there would not be any forward movement on introducing GST without consensus among States.
The meeting also asked the Centre to abandon the idea of introducing the Common Entrance Examination since it would affect the disadvantaged sections.
While condemning the Sri Lankan government’s ‘delay’ in rehabilitating displaced Tamils following the ethnic war, another resolution urged the Centre to find a proper way to expedite the rehabilitation process.
Mr. Karunanidhi said foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who met him recently, had assured him that a delegation or a special emissary would be sent to Sri Lanka to oversee rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons.
On the delay in implementation of the Sethu Samuthram project, he said superstitions have come as a barrier in implementing such welfare schemes.
Asked about AIADMK Chief Jayalalithaa boycotting a selection committee meeting yesterday to select the State Chief Information Commissioner, he recalled that his party representative had attended a similar meet convened by her when she was in power.
