Rise in cess, surcharge shrinking states' share in divisive pool of taxes: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said the cess and surcharge levied by the Centre was showing a "rising trend" and resulting in the "shrinkage" of states' share in the divisive pool of taxes.

Vijayan said this during his inaugural address at a conclave of five non-BJP-ruled states organised by Kerala to discuss the key issues related to the



16th Finance Commission.

The conclave, presided over by Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal, was attended by top dignitaries, including Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu.