Smriti Irani urges business community to adopt GST

Ahmedabad: Calling the Goods and Services Tax (GST) a “great step towards transparency,” Union minister Smriti Irani on Saturday urged the business community to become a part of this historic tax reform.

“GST is not only a good and simple tax, but also a great step towards transformation. Let us make history and be a part of it, so that we can tell our future generations that we never evaded tax,” she said. Ms Irani was addressing businesspersons at a function on GST here.

“When I say GST is a great steps towards transparency, what does that mean? How many consumers before GST knew what all taxes they paid? How much VAT, excise, multi-tax you were paying that you did not know of? Now with GST, as consumers and taxpayers, you are informed that this is the part of economy you contribute,” the textile and information and broadcasting minister said.

“(The effort is) how to expand manufacturing base, how to expand base of tax, and build infrastructure so that people do not evade paying tax.” Ms Irani said GST was supported by all political parties in Parliament.