Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Friday defended the Centre on demonetisation and the way Good and Services Tax (GST) regime was implemented, saying the NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi was voted to power in 2014 to change the status quo by taking such difficult decisions.
“…People voted for this Prime Minister because they wanted change,” she said at a World Economic Forum-India Economic Summit session moderated by film maker Karan Johar. “The Prime Minister also said ‘you voted for me to take hard decisions to improve the country … so be with me in this process.’ ”
She said these decisions were taken with a view to increasing tax compliance, simplifying the taxation regime, widening the tax base, and also increasing productivity.
On other decisions that will be taken by the government, Ms. Irani said from October 7 to17, fifteen public sector banks will send their representatives to 400 of the country’s 800 weaving clusters to help the weavers open accounts and take forward the financial inclusion process.
She said the government would consider a suggestion to help bring out a series on freedom fighters to be telecast on the public service broadcaster Doordarshan. The Minister said the government viewed agencies including the Censor Board “as facilitators” within the ambit of the law.