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Punjab’s ruling Akalis want Jaitley to keep GST at 18-22%
Terming the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime a game-changer for Indian economy, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra has said that they will urge the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to limit it between 18% and 22%.
Terming the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime a game-changer for Indian economy, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson and MP Prem Singh Chandumajra has said that they will urge the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to limit it between 18% and 22%.
“It is a tight rope on which the NDA government has to walk as it has to keep inflation as well as tax collections in mind. A higher tax regime will push inflation up, while lower tax will decrease the tax collection of states,” he said.
He said the Punjab government has already briefed the Centre about pros and cons of the GST regime for Punjab.
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After inaugurating a power sub-station in Industrial Area here on Saturday, Chandumajra said that a uniform tax regime will benefit Punjab more as state has surplus power to cater to industrial needs and the state offers concessional power tariff to the industry.
Chandumajra said as per party’s direction, he has already taken up the matter of including Punjab in the list of states which required to contribute only 10% in flagship programmes. Currently, Punjab has to contribute 40% to avail such grants, he said.
On Aam Aadmi Party’s first list of candidates for the assembly polls, Chandumajra said it had the stamp of the Delhi leaders. “The voters have rejected the Congress for the high-command culture, and it’s now the turn of the AAP to taste the same. Punjabis can’t tolerate being governed by Delhi leaders,” he said.
The MP said the Akali Dal list of candidates will be released shortly by party president Sukhbir Badal.
Earlier, Chandumajra and minister Surjit Singh Rakhra inaugurated the power sub-station.