Cut our salaries, says AAP MLA as he backs Congress in opposing Gujarat GST Amendment Bill

“A month ago, I had written to the chief minister (Bhupendra Patel) requesting him to ban advertisements related to online gambling appearing on Gujarati television channels. But I am sorry to say that instead of banning such advertisements, the finance minister (Kanu Desai) has brought in a Bill that literally permits people to gamble. I and my party are ready to support the Bill only if the government assures that no gambling will be permitted in Gujarat — online or offline,” said Umesh Makwana, AAP MLA from Botad.

“If the finance minister is really falling short of money to run the government, then let the salaries of all MLAs be cut by 50 per cent. Do not give permission for gambling,” Makwana said.

Citing a “gambling” episode of Mahabharata, Congress MLA CJ Chavda said, “We do not support the Bill because, this is Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Gujarat. It is Dwarikanath’s (reference to Lord Krishna) Gujarat. Once legality is accorded to gambling then not even Lord Krishna can stop it… We all know what happened in Mahabharata when Kauravas and Pandavas gambled. Then Lord Krishna was there to save the honour of Draupadi. But now Lord Krishna is not there. Who will save those who gamble and lose,” Chavda told the House.

Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar pointed out that Gujarat has an anti-gambling law that disallows people to gamble in public and inside the privacy of their homes. “Will the finance department collect tax or the home department act against those who gamble? Could you explain how the government will function?” Parmar asked.

But Desai, who introduced the Bill, intervened saying the GST amendments would not promote gambling in the state. He said the amendment Bill is to implement the recommendations of the GST Council and to maintain uniformity in GST law across states. “The GST amendments (that are part of the Bill) have been unanimously agreed to by all state governments. The amendments in this Bill do not provide licence to start these activities (casinos, horse-racing and online gaming) in Gujarat. But if someone from Gujarat uses the online gaming platforms, they will have to pay tax,” Desai said, adding that even Congress-ruled Rajasthan and states like Tamil Nadu have permitted the GST amendments.

BJP MLA Manisha Vakil said the government attempts to “control” gambling. “Those who enter online gaming applications have to pay a platform fee of Rs 20. If the person continues to play, then the charge is an additional Rs 80. So far, 18 per cent GST was being charged on platform fees, but after the amendment (mentioned in the Bill), 28 per cent GST will be applicable to the entire Rs 100. So instead of Rs 3.6 as GST, the government will earn Rs 28. This means that the government is concerned on how to control this (gambling) and how to lessen people’s addiction,” Vakil said.