Amritsar, August 16
Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who had earlier opposed the imposition of GST on gurdwara purchases, today “justified” the Centre’s helplessness in granting any immunity.

She was here today to interact with progressive farmers and industrialists of Amritsar on Centre’s scheme “Sampada” (Scheme for Agro-Marine Produce Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters), facilitated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), national partner with the Food Processing Ministry.

The Centre has spared Rs 6,000 crore under the scheme and every state has been invited to participate in “World Food India 2017” in New Delhi from November 3 to 5.

“The programme aims to uplift agriculture and multiplying farmers’ income by offering opportunities to enter into the food processing sector,” she added.

Gunbir Singh, Past Chairman, CII Punjab State Council, said the farmers could avail the benefit of common infrastructure facilities like cold chain, warehouses, packaging, sorting and grading all at one place.

Seemingly uncomfortable on being asked about her stand on SGPC mulling protest against the Centre with regard to GST on langar, she said, “How can I be part of the protest being a Central minister, though I support the SGPC’s cause. I was the first person to raise voice against taxing ‘langar’ and had also sent letters to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in this regard. Technically, post July 1, since the GST was implemented, it is now the sole prerogative of the GST council to decide. The state Finance Minister, who is the member of the council, should share the liability to get the things done.”

She also evaded question on approaching the PM in this regard.