Industries Minister Bikram Singh participated in the 43rd Goods and Service Tax Council (GST) meeting held in New Delhi today through video conference from Shimla.The meeting was presided over by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur also shared his views regarding GST compensation during the meeting.While representing the State Bikram Singh thanked the Union Finance Minister who is also a Chairman of GST council and Deputy Chairman of the council for taking proactive steps on providing Covid related relief in the form of GST exemptions, lowering the interest rate on delayed GST payment, extension of return filing etc. He said that these measures will go a long way in helping the states in providing relief to the people during the crisis.Industries Minister said that Covid-19 has adversely affected the economy of country as well as the State which has increased the need for GST compensation amount. Increasing GST rates during this difficult time when the entire nation is struggling to tackle the situation posed by the Covid pandemic is not appropriate and he would welcome the decision of reduction of GST on Covid essential items.
He said that implementation of GST compliance of filing of GST return of the state has always been higher than the national average, which reflects the commitment of the state in effective implementation of GST. He also detailed about the various matters related to GST in state and also suggested measures for the augmentation of revenue both in long and short term in a manner that would cause least disruption to the economy. He also suggested measures for rewarding honest taxpayers while raising barriers for dishonest ones. Additional Chief Secretary Excise and Taxation J.C Sharma, Commissioner Excise and Taxation Rohan Chand Thakur and Additional Commissioner, GST Rakesh Sharma also participated in the video conference.