KM Mani, who was forced to quit as Kerala Finance Minister on Tuesday in the wake of the 'bar bribery’ scam, has formally resigned as chairman of the empowered committee of State Finance Ministers on Goods and Services Tax.

Mani sent his resignation letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday as he cannot continue to head the committee since he is no longer a State Finance Minister.

Mani, 82, was chosen to head the panel because of his long experience in the Government, particularly as he had presented 13 State budgets. The position is given to a finance minister from a State where a party other than the ruling party at the Centre, is power.

Mani, who is the chairman of the Kerala Congress (Mani) resigned following adverse court remarks and mounting pressures from Opposition as well as the ruling coalition.

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