Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday put forth an eight-point charter of demands to the Union government with regards to the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Addressing the “Virat Haryana Vyapari Sammelan” in Karnal, the home turf of current Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Mr. Hooda sought simplification of the process to file tax returns, withdrawal of tax on clothing and to bring petroleum products within the ambit of the new tax regime.
The other major demands include a rethink on the rights of search and seizure promoting Inspector Raj, to roll back provisions with regard to arrest of traders for discrepancies in tax returns and to allow only two tax returns in a year.
Mr. Hooda said traders and the Congress were not against the concept of “one nation, one tax” but were only opposed to the present form of the new tax regime.
Traders pledge support
The office-bearers of several market and traders’ associations from across the State pledged support to Mr. Hooda, saying that the present regime favoured only big corporate houses.
Mr. Hooda also threatened to hold a mahapanchayat after the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament if the demands were not met.
Rohtak Lok Sabha member Deepender Hooda said the BJP had derailed the economy with its wrong policies.