Need simpler GST, says Congress minister

Hyderabad: A Congress minister from Karnataka has hailed GST as a “game changer and good reform” but maintained it should be made simpler by reducing the number of slabs as well as rates.

Karnataka Minister for large, medium industries and infrastructure development R.V. Deshpande said some changes are required in the current GST structure as “small traders and businessmen are suffering”.

He said GST should have come under the UPA government itself but BJP then opposed it. Later, there was a delay in its implementation as opposition parties did not cooperate on certain issues, he added.

“When everybody was on-board, it was done. But, this being a new reform and a game changer — ‘One Nation One Tax’ ultimately is going to benefit (all)

“Yes, there are teething problems...a lot of them have suffered and are suffering. Though there are issues, I am sure they (the government) will act and I am happy some initiatives were taken by Arun Jaitley to resolve them (problems related to GST). But, still a lot has to be done,” Mr Deshpande told PTI.

GST should be made a simple tax, he said, adding “definitely it has to be further simplified... then only it would be successful. There is a GST Council and it has to take decisions (on contentious issues).”

Currently, the GST regime slots items under tax rate slabs of zero, 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. An additional GST cess is also levied on certain products.