CAIT for joint coalition of trade & industry on GST

“It is a well known fact that since last two years, the government has put all efforts in building consensus on the complex issue but adamant attitude of the Congress and not allowing discussion on the GST Bill in Rajya Sabha has proved the biggest impediment in passing the legislation,” said CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal.

The Congress never consulted trade and industry about the merits of their demands pertaining to GST. However, the finance minister has already agreed to withdraw 1 per cent additional tax on inter-state GST. Therefore, instead of asking the government, the propriety demands that industry leaders should exercise pressure on Congress and other political parties opposing GST to come on board to pass such an important tax reform, Khandelwal added.

“If at all any issues left, the same can be settled when separate legislation for Central GST & IGST will be presented in Parliament and State GST will be presented in State Assemblies,” he said.

CAIT national president BC Bhartia suggested that both trade and industry organisations should form a joint coalition to take this issue forward with all political parties and impress upon them to pave smooth passage for GST Bill in the next session of Parliament so that by next fiscal year, the GST could be implemented in the country.

However, once the bill is passed in Parliament, the concerns of trade and industry could be raised with the government in order to have a simplified and rationalised GST tax structure in the country to ensure better self-compliance and widening of tax base, Bhartia said.

Both Khandelwal and Bhartia hoped that industry leaders will respond in a positive manner in larger interest of trade and industry and nation as well. (RKS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India