The Centre is yet to take a decision on providing security clearance to the GSTN, the information-technology backbone of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), as it is examining various issues concerning it. The central government has 24.5 per cent equity in GSTN, whereas state governments, two Union territories and empowered committee of state finance ministers together hold another 24.5 per cent stake in it. An organisation representing indirect tax employees has raised concerns over the management pattern of the GSTN with majority stake in private hands. BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has also opposed the majority stake for private entities in the GSTN and has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over it. Recently, the Centre had rejected an RTI plea seeking details of security clearance given to the GSTN citing national security.

Source: dna June 05, 2017 14:37 UTC