No logic in opposing GST: Dr Jitendra

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that there is no logic in opposing GST and those who oppose it , are doing so for motivations or extraneous considerations, either to continue to evade tax or to cater to the interests of a certain lobby. However, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there may be doubts and clarifications about the procedural aspects of GST roll out from July 1 and these are being adequately looked into. He appreciated the cooperation from the union Ministry of Finance and the GST Council Secretariat in addressing some of the procedural issues raised in the context of Northeast, which includes, for example, Internet connectivity, demand for relaxation for time limit for initial tax deposit etc. Speaking to a number of delegations, who met him here today to discuss various aspects of GST rollout from July 1 and seek clarifications, Dr Jitendra Singh said, those who oppose GST or have reservations about it, must be made to understand that by doing so, they are doing a great disservice to the poor and the middle class of this country. He said, the matter of fact is that GST provides a big relief to small traders, small manufacturers , restaurants falling in that category etc by ensuring that any businessman or trader whose annual turnover is below Rs. 20 lakh need not pay any GST and and also need not register. However, in case of Jammu and Kashmir, Northeast, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the limit is Rs. 10 lakh, he added. Notwithstanding the possible inconvenience during the initial phase of rollout, Dr Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that in course of time, the “one tax one nation” initiative will not only bring in ease of business but will also help in reducing prices in the long run. When more and more number of traders, businessmen and others, who were earlier not paying tax or evading tax, become regular taxpayers, this will help in enlarging the overall financial pool of the state exchequer. The money, thus supplemented into the regular legitimate circulation, will also help more liberal funding of the pro-poor schemes introduced by the Modi Government, he added. At a different level, Dr Jitendra Singh observed, the GST roll out from July 1 marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of independent India because it symbolises a giant leap forward towards federalism and also provides fiscal autonomy to the States.