Finance Minister Etela Rajender Urges Centre To Address GST Concerns:- Finance Minister Mr. Etela Rajender has urged the Centre yesterday to address the concerns raised by various industry and trade bodies before implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.

The GST should not be implemented hurriedly from July 1, as hotels, restaurants, granite industry are staging protests against higher tax rates in various states, said Rajender.

“I will raise these issues in the GST Council meeting, which is scheduled to be held on June 3,” said the Finance Minister to the reporters. Rajender even emphasized the need for bringing uniform tax regime, which should not burden the common man.

“Under tax ambit without hampering the interest of the poor and the common man, the Centre can bring more traders and businesses,” said Rajender.

Besides levying more taxes on luxury items, the Centre can  address the grievances of the hotels and granite business, and then implement GST. There would be no problem if more taxes were levied on luxury items, and other items like liquor, tobacco etc., opined Mr. Rajender.

He further expressed hope that the June 3rd meeting with Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley will come out with a solution to the doubts raised by various quarters.

The GST would not lead to any losses to the State exchequer, and if in any case that happens, there are enough provisions in the GST Act to compensate the states accordingly.

SUPRAJA