New Delhi, May 21 -- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and submitted a detailed follow-up representation urging the initiation of structured national deliberations on the inclusion of petrol and diesel under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.

In his representation, Patra on Wednesday emphasised that the constitutional framework under Article 279A(5) already envisages the eventual inclusion of petroleum products within GST through the recommendation of the GST Council.

He noted that while the matter had previously been deliberated upon in the GST Council following directions of the Kerala High Court, prevailing economic conditions now warrant a fresh, pragmatic and consultative r...