New Delhi, Jan. 10 -- Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal on Saturday said that the state government has urged the Centre to continue Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation and retain the existing structure of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), citing economic pressures on states amid global uncertainties.

Speaking to reporters after attending the pre-budget consultation meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the national capital, Balagopal said Kerala placed several specific demands before the Centre, highlighting fiscal challenges faced by states due to both domestic and international factors.

"We made some specific demands that GST compensation should continue. Because of the ...