Traders should be at helm of GST reform: Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, on Wednesday, applauded the Union government decision of implementing Goods and Service Tax (GST). He, however, also expressed his concern regarding the implementation of the tax reform. Sisodia said that while the good things about the GST reform must be appreciated, the traders should be at the helm of the reform, since they will the ones most affected.

"The discourse of the reform should concentrate around the traders, however, that is not the case so far. The decision should not be based on how the reform will affect officials, or how the posts will decrease," Sisodia said.

He also urged the traders to bring GST in their regular and daily discussion, in order to ensure that all aspects of the reform were known to them. "I represent the traders of Delhi, and will make sure to raise their issues and concerns at the GST Council proceedings. For that, every trader must be educated about the policy reform," Sisodia said.

In a bid to educate the traders, the Delhi government had held a workshop to familiarize them with working and filing of tax returns. The traders, registered with the value-added tax (VAT), will have to start enrolling on the GST portal from December 16. All traders will have to register themselves by December 31. There are close to 3.5 lakh dealers registered with the VAT department. GST, expected to roll out from April 1, will be a comprehensive indirect tax on manufacture, sale and consumption of goods and services throughout India, to replace taxes levied by the Central and state governments.