The Central government was introducing the Goods and Services Tax regime only to root out corruption and it would allow traders and businesspersons to concentrate on their job, said senior BJP leader H. Raja.
Addressing an awareness meet organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Kumbakonam Chapter, here on Monday, Mr. Raja claimed that there were a lot of things in the GST regime that the traders and dealers would rejoice with.
Stating that some were apprehensive over certain aspects of the GST regime, he said that their doubts would vanish once they understood the utility of the structure after it came into force.
Recalling that a stout opposition marked the implementation of Aadhaar card, LPG subsidy withdrawal, Jan Dhan bank accounts and demonetisation, the leader insisted that those resistance gave way to better appreciation later on and similar would be the response to the GST as well.
“When buses and autorickshaws were introduced in our place several decades ago, there was a strong opposition saying the livelihood of bullockcart owners and cycle rickshawmen would be lost. Have not we seen how things have shaped now and the people concerned had adapted to the situation well? The GST would also become acceptable and understood by all,” he said.
The GST regime would do away with other cumbersome tax structures as that seeks to rationalise those varied tax structures. Filing of tax forms would be made more easy and the online process would reduce the need for the dealers to approach the Commercial Taxes office for every thing. Most importantly, the GST would eliminate all Commercial Tax check posts. The aim of the Central Government in forcefully implementing the GST was ending all scope for corruption in the tax structures, he said adding we needed to adapt to the evolving technological advancements.
The GST would be a boon to traders, businesspersons and consumers as that would give a level playing for all stakeholders across the nation, Mr. Raja observed.
ICAI’s Kumbakonam Chapter president J. Sadagopan welcomed the gathering.