Will Pay GST Arrears Despite Losses Due To "Act Of God": Centre To States

The centre in a letter to the states has promised it would clear their goods and services tax (GST) dues despite the massive shortfall in GST cess collection amid the coronavirus pandemic, a situation that has been described as "an act of God" by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The government in the letter said it wants to stay clear of "avoidable borrowing at the central level when it could be done at the state level" as central revenues are under "great strain" due to the pandemic.