Hurdles seem to be clearing for the Telangana government’s proposal to construct a new Secretariat complex at the Bison Polo Grounds, with the Centre’s nod to give defence land for the purpose.
The Centre has also agreed to give the defence land to facilitate the expansion of Medchal highway and the Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari and consider the request of the State for reduction of GST on public utility projects, according to a release from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Reduction of GST
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao met the Union Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley in New Delhi on Saturday and discussed the issue of defence land and reduction of GST on public utility projects.
Mr. Jaitley was believed to have informed the Chief Minister that the Centre was ready to hand over the Bison Polo Grounds for the construction of the Secretariat and the expansion of the Medchal highway and Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari.
The request to reduce GST to 5% on public utility projects like Mission Bhagiratha, irrigation projects and road works will be taken after discussing it at the GST Council meeting to be held in Hyderabad on September 9, Mr Jaitley told Mr.Rao.
The Centre had reduced the GST from 18% to 12% on construction works after State’s request.
The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for agreeing to give Defence lands and hoped a favourable decision on GST reduction on public utility projects.
Chief Adviser to State government Rajiv Sharma and Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary S.Narsing Rao accompanied Mr Rao when he met the Union Minister.
