Pointing out that the government’s decision evoked opposition from at least nine states in the GST council, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said: “Bringing the GSTN under the PMLA is a way by the Modi Government to practice, promote and propagate tax terrorism. The triplet tactic of constraint, compulsion, and coercion by the BJP through the new law shall wreak havoc on the business community in India…The fact that the GSTN was brought under the PMLA (section 66), through a gazette notification of the finance ministry without any discussion or debate in Parliament raises legitimate apprehensions”.
Terming the decision as “highly problematic”, Singhvi elaborated, “This move puts honest and innocent businessmen at the mercy of an organisation (ED) that has built a reputation for itself as a willing and pliant apparatus of the ruling regime. The inclusion could result in small businesses being investigated by the country’s financial crime agency for GST violations, breaking the bone of the economy. The inclusion will allow information sharing of all GST taxpayers with the Enforcement Directorate”.
Even before the decision, it had “become a pain for small and medium businesses”, he said. “Bringing it under the PMLA would prove lethal for the economy as under the new rule, besides increasing the cost of compliances, businesses will also need to cross train their respective compliance teams to enable them deal with any investigation based upon cross sharing of information”.
Congress meeting to discuss strategy for Monsoon session
Top Congress leaders are likely to meet this weekend to discuss the party’s strategy for the Monsoon session of Parliament during which it plans to corner the government on several issues including rising prices, unemployment, Manipur violence and Balasore train accident. Sources said the Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi has convened the meeting of floor leaders at her residence on July 15 evening, where party president Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present.The Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson had earlier on July 1 convened another meeting where the party’s top leadership discussed its parliamentary strategy and issues to be raised during the Monsoon session of Parliament which begins on July 20.The Congress has said it will seek a response from the government on the Manipur violence. It also plans to take up wrestlers’ protest, inflation, rising unemployment and the manner in which various governors are conducting themselves.
The Monsoon session of Parliament will continue till August 11.
AICC general secretary Jairam Ramesh had earlier said that the party will raise the issues of railway safety and alleged ill-treatment of wrestlers, particularly female wrestlers, by Delhi Police in the upcoming session.
