Lauding the implementation of GST reforms, Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a special quality, which is his belief in the traders and manufacturers
of this country. He said businesses have found major relief under the new regime.
The new goods and tax services (GST) framework is expected to ease compliance, reduce consumer prices, boost manufacturing, and support a wide range of industries – from agriculture to automobiles and from FMCG to renewable energy – and is intended to lower the cost of living, strengthen MSMEs, widen the tax base, and drive inclusive growth.
“Compliances have been simplified, refunds have been made online for input credit. What can be a bigger relief for businesses than this,” Joshi said at Network18 Reforms Reloaded.
Responding on how the central government will be transparent about the visible benefits of the GST cuts, Joshi said his ministry has set up a new helpline to address complaints because it his job is to care for the consumers.
“PM Modi believes in the people of the country; he also believes in the traders and manufacturers of the country. In the consumer affairs ministry, we have established a helpline to address complaints of consumers on not passing GST benefits. We have made a system to solve issues pre-litigation,” he said.
He said Modi’s plan was to make daily consumables cheaper with either ‘zero tax’ or 5 percent. The decision could not have been made in a week or a month, and it was a long-drawn process involving preparations and meetings with stakeholders, he added.
“Daily consumable products have become either 0% or 5%…tax on dosa was 18%, now it is 0…good filter coffee is also 0% now…things of daily use like toothpaste also are now 0%. Day-to-day consumable items should be 0% or 5%…this was PM Modi’s plan. This decision could not have been made in 1 week, 1 month…we had to prepare and speak to stakeholders… We amended the law for GST compensation to states and the Modi government disbursed the compensation as well,” he said.
On the opposition’s views on the GST reforms, the Union minister said people are happy so it is not an issue to be politicised. “Be clear first what you want to say about the reforms. If it’s your idea, at least welcome it then,” he said.
