GST rollout: Shameful for govt to term GST rollout as second freedom, says Anand Sharma

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will at midnight unveil the new tax regime replacing overnight the messy mix of more than a dozen state and central levies built up over seven decades, with a one national GST unifying the country’s USD 2 trillion economy and 1.3 billion people into a common market.

The launch of the biggest tax reform in India since independence will be celebrated with a gala event. Nation’s senior most leaders are expected to attend the launch along with all MLAs and MPs, who have been invited to Central Hall of the Parliament to be part of the historic moment.

Suggested read: Stage set for launch of GST from Parliament’s Central Hall on Friday’s midnight amidst protests from Opposition parties 

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#4:50PM: Shameful for govt to term GST rollout as second freedom: Anand Sharma

# 3:09 PM: Rahul said the Centre is all set to implement Goods and Services Tax (GST) without any planning foresight and institutional readiness. 

#3:06 PM: The Congress vice-president said that the grand old party has championed the GST since the beginning. 

# 3:03 PM: Rahul said the country deserves a GST rollout but not at the cost of traders’ pain and anxiety. 

#3:01 PM: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government wants to implement the reform in hurry so they can take credit for the same. 

#2:15 PM: We oppose GST, its a black law but since Pres will attend launch we will go as we do not want to create controversy: Naresh Agrawal, SP

#2:15 PM:I think collective wisdom will prevail and by evening all the parties will come: Union minister Prakash Javadekar

#2:00 PM:Will end corruption. Only those who want to weaken economy are opposing it; it will be historic: Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh

#1:30 PM: Siddharamiaha, Chief Minister of Karnataka, on GST

We are not against GST but the way central govt treating it. The special session was organised when we got freedom, the second time when we celebrated 25 years of independence and the third time when we celebrated 50yrs of independence. What is the need of conducting the special session on GST midnight at central hall? 

As if the economic reformation bought by BJP. When Modi was chief minister of Gujarat he opposed GST and even BJP did. It was UPA who introduced GST now they celebrating as if it's their initiative.

 There is an apprehension that State will be betrayed in GST but there was a written clarification during the GST council to the state to ensure there will be no losses to the states. Central government have agreed on that.

MP: Business traders called for a bandh protesting against implementation of GST, all major markets in Bhopal to remain shut today pic.twitter.com/xVNiw8YgP4

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017

#10:30 AM: GST is a black law which we oppose, whether or not we will attend today's event will be decided by afternoon: Naresh Agarwal, SP

Traders stop 4102 Jhansi Express train in protest against #GST in Kanpur pic.twitter.com/wKOXOYBBPr

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 30, 2017

#10:00 AM: Lucknow traders to protest outside Municipal headquarters at 11:30 against GST rollout

#10:00 AM: Traders announces Rajasthan bandh in protest of GST rollout

I still appeal to Congress and other parties boycotting #GST event to reconsider. Its not a party function: Venkaiah Naidu pic.twitter.com/z0b8XxOaX3

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017

#8:30 AM: Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secy on myths around GST implementation (Source: ANI) Read full story here

- People should not believe in any misinformation, its transparent process.Honest taxpayers will benefit. 

- People are saying that retailers will have to file three returns per month. This untrue, you have to file only one. Rest will be generated by the computer. 

- Composite dealers do not have to file return every monh, but once in three months that too just the details of total trunover. 

- Do not worry about GST implementation, you won't need big IT infrastructure. Even B2B don't need big software. We will give free software

- Will give an excel format for B2B so they can keep invoice details updated and upload every month on the 10th. 

GST launch details: 

Time: The event will start at 11 PM and will continue till 12:10 AM

On the podium: President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Speaker of the House Sumitra Mahajan and former Prime Ministers HD Dewe Gowda will be the chief guests of the event. Former PM Manmohan Singh will not attend. 

Convenor: Finance minister Arun Jaitley will welcome the guests 

Launch: PM Modi and President Mukherjee will initiate the switch over form current indirect tax system to one nation one tax GST regime through an app at midnight. The address the nation as well. 

Who’s attending, who’s not

The majority of opposition parties have decided to boycott the event. 

Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD, Samajwadi Party and Left parties announced they would not attend the special midnight celebration, the JD(U) said it would leave the decision to its MPs.

Suggested read: Starry midnight in offing as GST launch programme to be graced by notable celebrities like Amitabh, Tata

The reasons: 

Central Hall: The iconic venue has so far been used only thrice for an event – Announcement of India’s independence, silver jubilee of the event in 1972 and golden jubilee of the event in 1997. The Congress has condemned the use of the same hall for tax reforms as ‘publicity gimmick’. 

Lack of time for switchover: Another major objection parties have to GST rollout on June 30 is the lack of time given to shopkeepers for switch over. The parties have said that they are not against the tax reform, but do not support the haste it is being implemented with.