The Punjab BJP on Wednesday alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has created an atmosphere of open loot, intimidation, and fear in Punjab in the name of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Addressing a press conference, state general secretary Anil Sarin said the claim made by finance minister Harpal Cheema of a 16% jump in GST revenue is nothing but a manipulation of figures.
Sarin stated that by projecting a collection of ₹17,860 crore from April to November, the AAP government is trying to mislead the people of Punjab.
“The reality is that GST refunds of traders have been deliberately withheld for months. Files have been lying unattended since May, while the government is masking its failure by showing inflated and false revenue figures,” said Sarin.
He alleged that the GST department has been instructed to conduct multiple inspections, up to four per trader, and to carry out targeted recoveries of nearly ₹100 crore every month.