Maharashtra to raise traders' concern after Centre brings changes in GST rules

In order to let the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to look into issues related to the GST, the Centre decided to place the Goods and Service Tax Network (GST) under the jurisdiction of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Senior Congress leader and MLA Prithviraj Chavan objected to this move.

The state administration was instructed to bring up the issue before the GST council by the Congress leader.

Ajit Pawar, the finance minister for Maharashtra, responded to Chavan's inquiry by stating that he would bring up the matter at the GST council meeting. He added that he had already discussed the matter in Delhi with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Although the finance minister is responsible for the matter, I told Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi that there are 1.4 crore GST accounts in the nation. Ajit Pawar said, "I informed him that traders are uneasy with this action and believe that there may be indirect harassment.

The central government will take action to guarantee no one is treated unfairly, the minister said, adding that Shah informed him about the concerns of businessmen.

"I will also raise the concern, as flagged by Chahvan, in the GST council meeting headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman," he continued.

Discussions are ongoing, and if they have an impact on our treasury, Pawar said, "We will need to make decisive decisions. We will need to consider (new) avenues to increase the revenue."

Abhishek Singhvi, a spokesperson for the Congress, had referred to the central government's action as "tax terrorism."

The (Narendra) Modi administration is using the GSTN's inclusion under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) to engage in, support, and spread tax terrorism, according to Singhvi.

According to him, the Centre amended the PMLA, 2002's provisions by issuing a notification on July 7 that included the GSTN, which manages the technology that powers the GST, to the list of organisations with which ED will share information.

"This goes against the interests of the business community and the fundamental goal of the Goods and Services Tax Act's decriminalisation programme. Given that it will have an impact on traders nationwide, particularly small dealers, the Tamil Nadu government is opposed to this, Singhvi added.

The BJP's triple strategy of restraint, compulsion, and coercion through the new law will have a disastrous impact on India's business community. The Congress politician was reported by PTI as stating, "This is another strategy of the BJP to frighten, detain, and imprison opposition leaders just ahead of the general elections.