The Congress Government’s decision to do away with the ingredient of GST (Goods and Services Tax) from langar items has produced a perfect recipe for a bitter political discord. Not ready to be left out of the credit game, the SAD-BJP combine on Thursday maintained that the Centre has also assured to forgo its share of GST on langar purchases if the State Government is doing so.
Notably, the ruling Congress had put the ‘panthic’ SAD on a back-foot by announcing to waive off its share of the GST on the purchases made for langar, like desi ghee, dal among other things.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Wednesday had announced waiver of the State Government’s 50 per cent share in the GST on langar or prasad at Sri Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir and Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal.
At the same time, the Vidhan Sabha had passed a unanimous resolution to press for total waiver of GST on these items by the Central Government.
SAD MLA Parminder Singh Dhindsa informed the House, during the Zero Hour, that the party leaders, led by its president Sukhbir Badal, met the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who had assured that the Centre would also exempt the same if the State Government is ready to do so.
Dhindsa, at the same time, accused the Finance Minister Manpreet Badal for not defending the State’s case forcefully — attracting sharp criticism by the Congress MLAs who maintained that the Centre had changed its stand after the Congress Government, led by the Chief Minister, took the initiative.
Responding, Manpreet reiterated that the issue was rejected thrice by the GST Council, which is the apex body to take decision regarding implementation or exemption of the GST. He said that the minutes of the meetings were prepared, and later passed, wherein the proceedings of the meeting were recorded as it is.
“And if the Centre has given assurance to them, it will be known to all soon as you cannot hide this for long. The meeting will be held soon,” added Manpreet.
Intervening, Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu lashed out at the SAD-BJP members for trying to take credit for GST exemption.
“Were they sleeping for all these months? Why they have not done this before?” asked Sidhu, while entering into heated exchanges with SAD MLA Bikram Majithia who tried to interrupt him.
He maintained that it was Chief Minister and Finance Minister’s credit which they are trying to take now.
Sidhu, on top of his voice, asked Majithia to sit down which fell on deaf ears. Irate, Sidhu assailed Majithia for his alleged links with the drug mafia, that led to fiery war of words between the two arch rivals. Seeing the situation going out of hand, the Speaker Rana KP Singh adjourned the house for 30 minutes.
Later, Manpreet tabled the minutes of the GST council meeting, dated August 5, 2017, in the House and read out the relevant portions wherein it was stated that the “Minister from Punjab” demanded exemption on the items used for preparing langar at the Golden Temple, and the same was rejected by the Council chairperson.
While rejecting, the chairperson argued his stand saying that then the states would also seek exemption for the material used to build the temples.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Kanwar Sandhu insisted upon Manpreet to strongly put up the state’s case, and clarify the importance attached with this “unique” case.
Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa condemned the Union Finance Minister for trivialising this solemn and very serious issue. He termed as “demeaning” for the Sikh community Jaitley’s statement that accepting waiver of GST on langar items at Sri Darbar Sahib would trigger similar demands for waiver on building materials for religious places.
“The Akalis should have strongly protested against the Central Government’s decision to levy the GST on langar since their ally, the BJP, is in majority at the GST Council. They should have forced the Central government to roll back this tax,” he said.
He proposed that a resolution should be moved in the assembly thanking Capt Amarinder for langar GST waiver, which was seconded by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra.
The House then unanimously passed the resolution thanking Chief Minister for waiving off the state’s share in GST on Langar at Sri Darbar Sahib. The Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira wanted to mention AAP’s contribution saying that it was he who proposed to give up the state’s share of GST — a demand ignored by the treasury benches.