Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman spoke in detail on several important aspects to GST at the ‘Next Jane GST’ program held at the National Library Bhasha Bhavan in Kolkata. He informed that the GST rates have never been decided without a plan and the depth has been considered deeply behind it.

Nirmala Sitharaman said in the context of West Bengal that the new GST compliance on September 22 has been implemented mainly keeping in mind the worship. Initially some people wanted it to be applicable from September 10, but later it was decided that it would be applicable from the first day of Mahalaya and Navratri. He questioned, “Can you ignore this influence of Bengal?”

Referring to the cuts in GST rates for specific cultural and handicraft items of Bengal, he said that the rates of 11 special Bengali items have been increased to 5 percent. These include the leather items (5 percent) of Santiniketan (5 percent), Bankara terracotta crafts (5 percent), Madhurkati Mach (5 percent), Purulia Chou Mask (5 percent), Dinajpur’s wooden masks (5 percent), Malda’s processed mango (5 percent), Darjeeling tea (5 percent) and jute bags (5 percent). Nirmala Sitharaman said that these cuttings will greatly benefit the artisans and producers of West Bengal.

Nirmala Sitharaman said that the need to review the rates of GST was because it aims to benefit the middle class and farmers. Also, it was necessary for MSME i.e. micro, small and medium enterprises that they should get relief. He also said that finally the final purpose of GST reform was in the widespread interest of the entire country’s economy.

The Finance Minister said that in future it is possible that GST has a single rate. He also clarified that some rates were reviewed at the recent GST Council meeting held in Jaisalmer. This was done because there were some disturbances at the grassroots level, which could make compliance easier by removing it. Many improvements have also been made in this process.

Sitharaman said, “The GST Council is a constitutional institution. The statement made by the Prime Minister from the Red Fort was not only a sign, he did not set the rates. Many states of the opposition, including West Bengal, were with us on things such as slab cuts and health plan discounts. Many times support is also available in anonymous form.”

He also said that the government has about one -third stake in the GST Council, while two -thirds of the opposition.

Nirmala Sitharaman said that the states have agreed to the proposal to reduce the GST slab together. He also wrote individual letters to the finance ministers of all states. He said that no one had imagined the tax rate cut on personal income. The department is constantly reviewing tax reforms.

He said, “Bureaucrats work and leaders have to support. The Prime Minister had spoken about the simplicity of GST and has affected every citizen of the country.”

Nirmala Sitharaman said during this time that 90 percent GST refund will now be given automatically, while only 10 percent will be investigated in cases so that the correct person gets refunds. He appealed to the opposition parties to respect the constitutional rights of the GST Council and work in the national interest by leaving behind political disputes.

On this occasion, the Finance Minister also informed that the basic objective of GST reforms is to strengthen the middle class, farmers, MSMEs and the economy of the entire country. He said, “These reforms will bring positive changes for all citizens.”