Finance ministry sources countered Comptroller and Auditor General audit finding of Centre wrongly retaining Rs 47,272 cr of GST compensation cess meant for states, saying temporary retention cannot be termed as a diversion. Sources said compensation due for the year 2017-18 and 2018-19 was fully paid to states. In 2017-18, Rs 62,611 cr was collected and Rs 41,146 cr was paid.
