The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday initiated an “open dialogue” with traders to address their concerns over the Goods and Services Tax (GST), amid criticism over the hasty roll out of the new tax regime.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma holds GST meeting with traders in Lucknow (HT Photo)
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The parleys held a day after the Centre announced a slew of relief measures for traders and reduced tax rates on 27 items.
Deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma in Lucknow and BJP MPs in their constituencies invited representatives of traders’ bodies over a cup of tea and snacks to explain them various GST provisions and their benefits.
Sharma at the jam-packed conference hall of the commercial tax department in the state capital, assured traders they would not be harassed due to the imposition of the GST.
He also assured that the state government would forward their suggestions and feedbacks to the GST Council for necessary action.
Bringing diesel and petrol under the GST, lowering of tax slabs, tax cut on some goods, relaxation of penalty provisions and simplification of various forms were some of the demands of the traders.
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Later, talking to media persons, Sharma said the state government welcomed suggestions from the traders. “We would put them at the next GST Council meeting and try to ensure that their genuine demands are met,” he said.
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Later, talking to media persons, Sharma said the state government welcomed suggestions from the traders. “We would put them at the next GST Council meeting and try to ensure that their genuine demands are met,” he said.
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Asked if the state government agreed to traders’ demand to bring diesel and petrol under the GST regime, he said the state government was neither in favour nor against the demand. “It is for the GST Council to take the final call,” he stressed.
Sharma claimed that the UP’s revenue from the commercial tax post GST had gone up 33% compared to what it got under the VAT regime.
This, he claimed, was the proof that the state’s traders believed in doing business honestly if given facilities.
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Identifying himself as a trader’s son, Sharma in the meeting also agreed to raise the accident insurance coverage of traders from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
He asked commercial tax commissioner Mukesh Meshram to send a proposal in this regard to the state government.
Brajendra K Parashar is a Senior Journalist with the Hindustan Times, based in Lucknow, with nearly three decades of experience covering governance, public policy, politics and development in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, he has reported extensively on key sectors, including energy and renewable power, mobility and transport, road safety, agriculture and allied sectors and issues related to farmers, rural development, taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and public administration. A seasoned political correspondent, Parashar closely tracks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has covered every major election in Uttar Pradesh right from three-tier panchayat elections and urban local body polls to Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He also reports regularly on the proceedings of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, bureaucracy, governance, policy decisions and administrative developments with focus on their impact on public life. His reporting is known for its strong analytical approach, extensive use of official data. His areas of interests include investigative journalism, long-form political and policy analysis, data-driven reporting, elections and institutional reforms. Parashar holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science with First Division from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), followed by a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same university. His inclination towards journalism began during his student days, when he regularly contributed letters to editors and articles to newspapers and magazines. In the mid-1990S, his essay, “Should India Switch Over to the Presidential Form Of Government?”, published in Politics India magazine edited by noted constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap, was adjudged the best entry in a national competition. His work has received professional recognition, including the Hindustan Times Journalist of the Month Award for an impactful series on drinking water issues during the 2010 Lok Sabha election campaign. Originally from Kasganj in western Uttar Pradesh, Parashar is currently based in Lucknow where continues to report on politics, governance and public policy.
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