Will not rollback GST, but open to incorporate changes: PM Modi

BIDAR: With Goods and Services Tax (GST) turning out to be the punching bag for the Congress and other opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chose to mute criticism by stating: "We are open to incorporate suggestions and make changes to better the system, but we will not rollback GST at any cost."

Addressing a public rally in Bidar in Karnataka, Modi said implementation of GST was a collective decision of all political parties and was largely accepted by the business community. "However, there are some errors that need to be rectified and were open about it," Modi said.

Modi said the GST was finalised after receiving the consent of all state governments. "Despite all states being stakeholders in the implementation of GST, some people continue to criticise it. But we are open for suggestions from
citizens and businessmen."

He hinted at the support for GST from the business community stating: "Earlier, many businessmen used to transact without receipts and accounts. Now they are realizing that it was wrong and are thinking in the interest of nation."

He allayed the fears of the business community about a hike in takes and said: "Some babus are threatening them of enhancing tax in coming years and reopening of their old transactions. I assure businessmen fraternity that no officer will open their old registers. We welcome all to move in the right path for the development of nation. Businessmen should feel free to join this initiative and look forward, not back."

Modi also charged the previous Congress goverment with gross `criminal negligence' with regard to ensuring timely completion of infrastructure projects across the country.

"It was a government (referring to UPA regime)that had put the projects into the `atkana (creating hurdles), latkana (delaying) and bhatkana (diverting)' mode. This had become their culture. In fact, it had mooted and derailed projects worth a whopping Rs nine lakh crore and we, after coming to power, had to bring these projects back on the tracks. A project that could have been completed in Rs 1,000 has now escalated to Rs one lakh as projects have been allowed to linger on for a long time." Modi took a jibe at the Congress without naming the latter for the delay in completion of the 17-year-old Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line.

Pointing out to the fact that Bidar-Kalaburagi railway line project was first mooted during Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's tenure, Modi said: "It has taken around 20 years for the project to be completed. While I feel happy that the train has finally started chugging the delayed railway project is a pointer to how the country was run by the previous governments (referring to UPA rule). This railway project should have been completed in three years time and with a budget less than Rs 400 crore but, because of the delays, the project has taken 20 years and the cost has escalated by 300 per cent." The project could have been completed within seven years had the Congress government been serious about the project, Modi said and added: "A majority of the work was completed and the project was fast-tracked after we came to power."