The Bihar Deputy Chief Minister, Mr S.K. Modi, has refused to accept the Union Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee's offer to head the committee of the Finance Ministers on GST.
“I don't have the time because I am occupied with important business in Bihar,” Mr Modi said here today.
“I had earlier approached the party which left the decision on me, but owing to my responsibility and commitment to the State, I felt that I would not be able to do justice to the post.I have conveyed my message to Mr Mukherjee,” he said.
Asked whether his decision had anything to do with the stated opposition of BJP-ruled states to the introduction of GST, Mr Modi said not only BJP-ruled States but also a majority of Chief Ministers, including Ms Mayawati of Uttar Pradesh, had expressed their opposition to the GST.
Mr Modi has been offered the chairmanship of the body after Dr Asim Dasgupta lost in last month's West Bengal poll.