Rahul Gandhi to FM Arun Jaitley: Ask trader if it’s easier
, ET Bureau|
Nov 02, 2017, 12.33 AM IST
GANDHINAGAR: Congress VP Rahul Gandhi has said finance minister Arun Jaitley should ask small traders and midsize businessmen if the ‘ease of doing business’ has improved. Beginning the third phase of his Navsarjan Yatra in south Gujarat’s Jambusar on Wednesday, Gandhi contested the recent report of the World Bank on ease of doing business, which saw India’s rank going up 30 spots.
“I would request him (finance minister) to go and listen to small traders and midsize businessmen and ask them if there has been progress in terms of ease of doing business. Everyone in unison will say that there is no ease of doing business,” Gandhi said, adding the economy had been badly hit by demonetisation and GST.
Gandhi said Congress had maintained GST should not have so many slabs and the highest rate should not be more than 18%. Claiming demonetisation had shaved off 2% of the GDP, Gandhi alleged the poor man sweated only to see his money being taken away. Gandhi said while the PM spoke of seizing black money, he did not realise all black money was not in cash form. “Show me one person who has been put behind bars for hoarding black money in Swiss account. Look at Vijay Mallya, he is enjoying himself in London.”
Alpesh Thakor, the OBC leader who had joined Congress recently, shared the stage with Gandhi along with Ahmed Patel and other senior leaders. Gandhi claimed while the state government showcased MoUs worth `84 lakh crore over Vibrant Gujarat summits, only 2% was invested in the state.
“I would request him (finance minister) to go and listen to small traders and midsize businessmen and ask them if there has been progress in terms of ease of doing business. Everyone in unison will say that there is no ease of doing business,” Gandhi said, adding the economy had been badly hit by demonetisation and GST.
Gandhi said Congress had maintained GST should not have so many slabs and the highest rate should not be more than 18%. Claiming demonetisation had shaved off 2% of the GDP, Gandhi alleged the poor man sweated only to see his money being taken away. Gandhi said while the PM spoke of seizing black money, he did not realise all black money was not in cash form. “Show me one person who has been put behind bars for hoarding black money in Swiss account. Look at Vijay Mallya, he is enjoying himself in London.”
Alpesh Thakor, the OBC leader who had joined Congress recently, shared the stage with Gandhi along with Ahmed Patel and other senior leaders. Gandhi claimed while the state government showcased MoUs worth `84 lakh crore over Vibrant Gujarat summits, only 2% was invested in the state.
