THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister KN Balagopal said in the Assembly that steps will be taken to receive tax on online phone recharging, e-commerce transactions etc. "The tax on online transactions is being deducted from the people but the government is not getting it. This was raised in the GST Council which met recently." The minister was replying to the discussion on the request for funds.

"Strong steps will also be taken to recover share of IGST transactions. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assured the council that a detailed inquiry will be conducted in this matter within ten days."

"The state is making huge leaps in tax revenue. The annual increase in own revenue is 60%. However, the grant, tax share and scheme share from the centre is very low. The borrowing limit of the state has been reduced by Rs 1,07,515 crore in the last seven years. The borrowing power has been reduced by Rs 13,000 to 15,000 crore annually. Otherwise, there would have been no arrears in any expenditure of the state. All expenses could be met without borrowing."

Benefits will be given

There are certain benefits to be provided including employee DA. Many benefits are provided. There are misleading news about non-payment of benefits. A report can be laid on the table of the assembly on the benefits given and to be given. The government has no intention of not giving benefits.

Leading in growth index

There is no debt inflation in the state. That's what the three-year debt levels show. The report of the Reserve Bank and other agencies states that the state is leading in the country in terms of growth indicators. Kerala is the least poverty-stricken state in the country with only 0.002%. 98.7% of households in the state have toilets.