Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said that a single tax rate under the GST is not possible, he further articulated that Mercedes car and milk cannot be taxed at the same rate as demanded by opposition for a uniform 18 per cent rate. He further said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has within one year of its launch led to over 70 per cent jump in indirect taxpayer base, demolished check-posts and merged 17 taxes and 23 cesses into one single tax
Of late Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had also said that there was an increase of 18 per cent in direct taxes collection last year due to the Goods and Services Tax or GST and demonetisation. In the last four years of NDA government, there has been an increase of 1.5 per cent in overall taxes. This year, the first quarter shows advanced payments. The gross figure has increased by 44%.
Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) categorically agree that uniform 18% GST rate is not possible and many essential commodities of common man needs to taxed low so that they are not burdened with extra taxation.
J. P. Sharma – president of VTA said that within one year’s Government has collected more than estimated taxes and citizens also by enlarge has made up their mind to pay 15% GST. Under such circumstances it’s highly recommended that the highest GST slab of 28% should be deleted and the items therein should be included in 18% slab, because products falling under 28% GST slab are finding extremely difficult to sell their product. Due to high tax slab, avoid billing to escape 28% GST thereby promoting cash or without bill transactions.
Ramkishan Ojha – vice president of VTA said that with multiple returns, rules and various tax slabs have made life of an ordinary trader dreadful. A ‘single tax GST’, was promised, which remains a distant dream so far.
Tejinder Singh Renu – secretary of VTA said that it is praiseworthy on the part of GST Council to arrive at the decisions on a constant basis despite the differences in political philosophy between the political parties in different states of our country. Overall, the taxpayers and the government have both negotiated a difficult and long terrain for GST in the last one year and one hopes that the journey might get easier in the coming years. Although it may take a few years before the country can truly begin to enjoy the full benefits of GST, it would be a journey which would be valuable for the Indian economy.
Congratulating the Government for one year of successful implementation of GST in the country along with demonetization, which resulted additional tax revenue of Rs. 4,00,000 Crore; VTA thereby requests Government that with additional tax revenue and increased tax base now; it’s high time for the Government to pass on some portion of this additional tax collection to the taxpayers and the citizens by reducing GST tax slabs on commodities of frequent use of the people and also by withdrawing 28% GST slab completely so that we move towards rate slab of GST in other countries.
