Uttarakhand Government had proposed to increase the maximum limit of Rs 20 lakh under tax exemption category at par with other State during the Goods and Services Tax Council meeting, which was held recently in Delhi. This was informed by State Finance Minister Prakash Pan here on Monday.
Addressing a gathering as chief guest at a seminar cum workshop on GST organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the German company, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), in Haridwar on Monday. The Finance Minister said the issue raised in the GST Council meeting is likely to get addressed in due time.
Pant stated the State of Uttarakhand is progressive and working on infrastructure development very aggressively for the industry to sustain. He referred to the work on construction of the all weather roads, State Government’s commitment to making it a power surplus State and the target for producing 13,800 skilled manpower through the Prime Minister National Skill mission.
He further averred that soon all the teething problems will be taken care by the Government and asked the Chamber to submit all the suggestions and issues substantiated by facts and figures so he could take it forward for necessary action and assured a committed consideration.
Earlier, while introducing the agenda of the seminar, PHD Chamber Uttarakhand State council co chairman Virendra Kalra said the industry is very confident of a strong representation at the GST council, by the Finance Minister of the State of Uttarakhand.
The Chamber’s indirect tax committee head Bimal Jain, in his welcome address, stated the herculean task of implementation of the GST is not only the responsibility of the Government but also of the tax payers.
Jain also presented a five-point representation to the Finance Minister on the occasion. The Finance Minister appreciated Jain’s suggestion for setting up a “notification wing” at the council level so that there are no lapses due to the difference in dates of notifications from states and centre.
He also suggested the abolishing of Section 9(4) of the GST Act so as to make the Act operationally and legally more viable. He suggested the revision facility for filing of GSTR 3B and GSTR 1 for removing the teething problems arising in the implementation of this new regime. Jain also raised the concern of the industry for excise exemption which was committed by the Government of India under special industry package and suggested that the Government of Uttarakhand should follow the lines of Jammu & Kashmir Government for committing the 42 per cent share of the State.
The joint commissioner of GST, Uttarakhand, Amit Gupta and a team from commercial tax department lead by Additional Commissioner NS Datal were also among those present on the occasion.
The day-long workshop saw extensive interactive session with the members of PHD Chamber including the members of member associations; SIIDCUl Manufacturers association - represented by its president Harindra Garg, members of Bhagwanpur industries association (Roorkee) and Haridwar Management Association represented by its secretary Tarun Vaid.