Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday made a case for setting up GST Council-like federal institutions to promote healthcare, rural development and agriculture sectors by optimally utilising resources of the centre and states.

Arun Jaitley writes off economists' concerns over data integrity, calls campaign politically motivatedFinance Minister Arun Jaitley has dismissed the concerns raised by some economists over the integrity of statistical organisation and economic data of the country. Jaitley said the campaign started by them is politically motivated. Last week, 108 economists and social scientists had called for restoration of institutional independence and integrity of statistical organisations in India. Airbn...

Jaitley countered the claims of flaws in India's economic data by stating that the same data is accepted by credible international institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The Council will finalise the rules regarding the already availed Input Tax Credit (ITC) by real estate developers for under-construction projects before the new tax rates come into force from the next financial year.

Even with fairly respectable macros, the state of the economy is nothing to write home about.

\"In order to move forward, India must have political stability, a clear policy direction and a strong, decisive leadership. If we falter on any one of these, we will be letting our own people down and damaging the future,\" Arun Jaitley wrote in his latest blog post.

\"The Opposition underestimates the wisdom of the electorate. I am confident that the electorate will respond to India's Opposition parties and show them their place,\" says the FM.