New Delhi : Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on wednesday made a case for setting up GST Council-like federal institutions to promote healthcare, rural development and agriculture sectors by optimally utilising resources of the centre and states.
The successful experiment of GST Council, which is a constitutional body for making recommendations to the union and state governments on issues related to goods and service tax, needs to be replicated in other areas.
He said agriculture, rural development and healthcare is one area where the central government spends a lot of money on supporting farmers, creating infrastructure and building health centres for poor population. Also, the state governments are spending money on these sectors.
He said there is a need for utilising the resources in an optimal manner by enhancing coordination between the centre and state governments for essential developmental activities."I think a coordination body on a non-statutory basis like the GST Council, as a federal institution can do that job (coordination)," Jaitley said in a video message on Twitter.