Hailing GST consensus, Capt Amarinder wants small traders’ concerns addressed

CHANDIGARH : Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh today welcomed the consensus between various political parties for introducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the country.At the same time, he said, the apprehensions and concerns voiced by a section of the stakeholders like small traders and businessmen, must be addressed for its smooth and proper implementation.“We must ensure that the GST is aimed at facilitating all trade and business across the country and convince everybody, particularly the stakeholders that it will not end up as an instrument of harassment against anyone”, the Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha said in a statement issued here today.The PCC president expressed satisfaction over the agreement on 18 percent cap on the GST, which had been vigorously pursued by the Congress to ensure that the GST does not turn exorbitant in future.He said, while it will bring in uniform tax regime across the country, there have been some concerns expressed by small traders and businessmen that it might end up in their unnecessary harassment.“During my interactions with people across the state, I came across several stakeholders, particularly the small time traders and businessmen who have certain apprehensions and misgivings about the GST which need to be removed”, he said, while adding, “it is important that the actual stakeholders are convinced about its benefits and do not have any doubts and fears about it”.