GST has become a 'bad word' among common citizens: Chidambaram
What's the story
Former Finance minister P Chidambaram on Sunday attacked the central government on the first anniversary of GST regime.
The senior Indian Congress leader said, "The design, structure, infrastructure backbone, rate or rates and implementation of the GST (Goods and Services Tax) were so flawed that GST has become a 'bad word' among business persons, traders, exporters, and the common citizens."
Here are more details.
Tax administration
Only tax administration appears to be happy about GST
The only section that appears to be happy about GST is the tax administration that acquired extraordinary powers, Chidambaram said.
"It is widely perceived that GST has increased the tax burden of common citizen; it has certainly not reduced the tax burden as was promised," he added.
He said beginning with GST Constitution Amendment Bill, every step taken by BJP government was deeply flawed.
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GST Bill ignored advice of Chief Economic Adviser, claims Chidambaram
The GST Bill also "ignored the advice" of the Chief Economic Adviser on many aspects, notably on the rates, Chidambaram claimed.