Gov endorses CM concern over GST, calls reform ‘hasty’

Kolkata: Endorsing chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s concerns over the Centre’s recent steps on financial reforms, West Bengal governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Tuesday said that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was “hastily” implemented in the country before the economy could recover from the impacts of demonetisation. He also hailed her as “dynamic” in championing the cause of “individual freedom.”

In his address to the House, in the Assembly marking the commencement of the budget session the governor pointed out that both the producers and the consumers suffered problems in adapting the Goods and Services Tax from the previous structure. Showering lavish praise on the TMC government Mr Tripathi asserted that it however successfully tackled the double blow of demonetisation and GST.

He stated, “With the economy having barely recovered from the effects of demonetisation, it was faced with a fresh challenge midway through the year when Goods and Services Tax was hsatily enforced all across the country. Manufacturers, suppliers, traders as well as consumers faced difficulties in switching over to the new GST regime from the existing system.”

He added, “In spite of the same, my Government has succeeded in taking the unprecedented twin challenges of demonetisation and introduction of GST in its stride. My government led by my dynamic chief minister strongly believes in individual freedom and strongly resents any infringement on individual freedom or any compromise with the sanctity of the privacy of citizens. Therefore, it does not endorse any attempt to tinker with the rights of citizens.”

In context of the recent unrest in Darjeeling, he underlined “some vested interests tried to subvert the mandate of the people by taking recourse to vandalism and anarchy” while praising the state government for restoring peace there.

His address was however marked by angry protests by the Congress MLAs in the Opposition bench for a while.