West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) “to raise voice” on her Government’s behalf at the Centre.

She said the successive Governments at the Centre remained apathetic towards the State’s demand for a loan waiver.

The Chief Minister repeatedly raised this issue at an interactive session with the members of the industry chamber. FICCI held its national executive committee meeting here on Friday.

Later, FICCI President Sidharth Birla told reporters the chamber cannot take up the cause of a particular State, but would try to articulate her Government’s point of view to the Centre. “We would convey her message and her concern. But we cannot dwell on a subject that falls in the area of Centre-State relations,” he added.

Banerjee said the higher revenue generation by the State in the past few years could not be used for development as much of it went to servicing the past borrowings.

GST on oil and gas Birla said the nation was veering round a consensus on the issue of oil and gas coming under the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST). “States are likely to permit this. However, I am doubtful if a consensus could be arrived on subsuming all State taxes under GST. Had it been achieved, it would have contributed greatly to the ease of doing business anywhere in the country,” he added.

FICCI has a number of objections to some of the clauses of the Land Acquisition Bill of 2013

. “Some provisions were not acceptable to the business community. A relook is required. We have given our suggestions. We hope the Government would correct the flawed provisions and might place it for discussion in the Winter Session of Parliament,” he said.

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