Traders threaten agitation demanding simplification of GST

Navi Mumbai: Traders from across the country have threatened to launch a countrywide agitation demanding simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act

Navi Mumbai: Traders from across the country have threatened to launch a countrywide agitation demanding simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act. They have claimed that the Act has been constantly amended, leading to confusion and complicating the tax structure.

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Traders from across the country and 16 districts of Maharashtra attended a meeting organised by the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry and Trade (CAMIT) at Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) market in Vashi on Sunday.

Bhartiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal (BUVM) which is spearheading the agitation plan held discussions with the traders on various issues.

BUVM president Vijay Prakash Jain said, “Several country and state level issues were discussed in the meeting. New taxes and provisions have been introduced which create problems and hassles.”

He said, “Shockingly the Act has been amended 1,235 times since its inception. These changes have left the business community confused. The rules and regulations are very complicated and a major hassle for the traders who are forced to pay more attention to them than their own business.” “Not just the business community, several officials of the department have no idea of several provisions and the changes,” Jain claimed.

“We are not against taxes, but it should be levied in such a manner that the country benefits and the business community does not suffer. GST rates vary from 5% to 28% on different goods and services. It has led to an increase in corruption. The burden falls on the trader and ultimately on the consumer,” the BUVM president explained.

The traders also raised another issue which they termed “inspector raj”. Mukund Mishra, general secretary, BUVM, said, “There should be uniform GST rates for the produce sold at the APMCs. The inspector Raj should end. There are several instances when upset officials penalise businessmen over personal issues.”

“We will also protest against e-commerce platforms. Several foreign companies ready to suffer short-term losses for long-term gains have come to the country,” Mishra added.

“We have submitted several memorandums to the Central government and agitations have been held at several locations in the country. The government has, however, simply ignored our objections and plight. We have decided to go on a countrywide agitation. Over 24,000 organisations have joined us.”

Extending support on the issue, Mohan Gurnani, chairman CAMIT said, “Tax regime has been successful globally. In the developed countries, the objective was to ensure optimum tax collection which led to its success. In our country, the stress is to ensure that the tax is not missed under any circumstance, which has led to a complicated structure. Adding to that the constant changes have led to a frustration among the traders.”

“A red carpet is being rolled out for multinational companies, while the country’s business community is disappearing,” Gurnani said, adding, “We will give a month’s notice to the government. If there is no positive action, we will launch a countrywide agitation.”