Number of taxpayers rose from 66.51 lakh to 1.51 crore due to GST; changed tax slab will help textile industry: Paatil

Addressing media persons in Surat, Paatil said, “Before the implementation of GST, there were different types of taxes in different states. Businessmen and traders faced difficulties in transporting goods from one state to another due to the varied tax structures. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thought of ‘one nation, one tax regime’, and finally, it (GST) was implemented in July, 2017. Traders and manufacturers encountered a uniform tax structure, which they accepted with full enthusiasm. Various facilities were provided to the businessmen and manufacturers.”

He said, “Today, the entire textile industry has been put under a 5% tax structure, which has benefitted lakhs of people. Earlier, due to differences in tax structure of various states, there was a rise in tax evasion. However, after the implementation of GST, such cases have decreased. Due to the competitive market in textiles, traders had adopted different methods to evade taxes to get more benefits. But now, they will be under the direct eye of the Central government.”

Paatil said, “When GST was implemented, around 66.51 lakh people and firms were registered. And now, after eight years, a total of 1.51 crore firms have come under the GST tax regime. This has resulted in a rise in the income of the Central government, and it is used in the development and infrastructure works and security of our country.”

Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi; Minister of State for Agriculture, Energy and Petrochemicals, Mukesh Patel; Surat city Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Paresh Patel; BJP MLA Sangita Patil and others were present at the media interaction.

Plans for PM birthday

During the press conference, Paatil also shared plans for PM Modi’s birthday on September 17. “An event has been organised in Surat city wherein over 6,000 sanitation workers of Surat Municipal Corporation, whose hard work has led city to the topmost position in the race of cleanest cities in the country, will be felicitated. Indian playback singer Kailash Kher will be present at the event,” he said.

Sanghavi said, “A drama portraying the life journey of PM Modi from his childhood to Prime Ministerial post, prepared by a team of 400 youths, will be played in the dome structure of Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry on September 7 evening. Later, this drama will be staged in different districts across the state.”