GST and demonetisation will have good impact on business environment : Santosh Gangwar

The minister of State for Finance, Santosh Gangwar, is a seasoned campaigner for BJP. Seven-time MP from Bareilly, he had served as MoS in three departments in the Vajpayee government. In the Modi government, he was MoS in textile before switching over to Finance in the cabinet reshuffle. In an exclusive chat with Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO, Zee Regionals, he spoke candidly on issues ranging from his earlier days in politics to GST, demonetization and party’s prospects in South.

JC: When you entered politics from a small town of Bareilly, had you ever thought that you would become a minister at centre?

SG: When I got the ticket for the first time, I had no clue about that. One senior journalist informed me …. since then all my achievements have been beyond imagination. I had never imagined about my current status… I still remember. There was Emergency in the country and I was studying. I went to jail while studying and when I came out I got involved in activities of my party.

JC: In Uttar Pradesh, people had crowned Yogi with high hopes.... the incident which had occurred at Gorakhpur hospital, do you think there was some lapse in governance?

SG: No. That is not the case... it has to be dealt with in a proper manner. Wherever there is a lapse, we will take corrective action.

JC:  Today, the whole nation is talking about Modi…in last three-three-and half years, what do you think is his biggest contribution?

SG: Whatever decision he has taken will prove to be a milestone … whether it’s foreign policy or relationship with neighbouring countries or economy of the nation, he has taken strong steps to complete tasks in a defined time period.

JC: Last year when PM had announced about demonetization, people were worried but no one raised slogan against Modi…. how this kind of strong goodwill could build?

SG: Everyone knows whatever decision Modi government is taking will benefit the country. Whatever opposition says, people who had been in queues are also saying that this step of Modiji is in the right direction. This was a big decision against black money which people will realise in times to come.

JC: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says there has been 25% increase in the number of income tax payers, what is the impact?

SG: This is absolutely right. Around 6 crore people pay the tax out of which 4 crores are government employee.. salaried class… The number of taxpayers then is only 2 crore. In a country of 125 crores only 2 crores … shows where we stand. So people who are working honestly are paying their tax diligently…. We will definitely see a strong rise in the number of taxpayers.

JC: Few people think that demonetization followed by GST has badly affected the morale of traders and business class?

SG: I have come across a few cloth merchants who say that demonetization has firmed up their conviction to be in this business... they say that now people will not raise any doubt on our honesty and society will also look at us with respect. Now everyone wants that no one should raise doubt on one's integrity.

JC: What is your roadmap for next two years?

SG: First of all, if GST is implemented successfully, people will come to know about its good impact... this is visible also.  I am saying this because out of earlier 80 lakh registrations, fresh registrations have now reached around 72-75 lakh. Out of this, around 15 lakh are registering for the first time... I think in next 1-2 months, registrations will cross the mark of 1 crore. This is a big achievement.

JC: Market is speculating that government is withdrawing Rs 2,000 banknotes and introducing notes of Rs 200 denomination?

SG: No there is no point of withdrawing but notes of a smaller denomination are more convenient... however, this is a decision of RBI.

JC: It is said that what ED has been able to do in last 15 months has not been done in last 10 years, It has attached more than 12000...?

SG: Our officers know their jobs. The way things are being worked out, people from our country and outside also are surprised that how work is being done in the area of direct and indirect taxes... this is an example in itself and it's a guiding force also for us.

JC: People are saying that first of all a case was registered against Lalu, then on the brother of Mayawati and then nephew of Mamta... is agency being used to settle some kind of political vendetta.

SG: I will not take any name... whosoever is liable, the agency will take action. It has nothing to do with party or any particular individual... if there is unexpected swell in anyone's assets then it's but natural to ask him about the source.

JC: Amit Shah is looking at saffronising South India, do you think he will be successful?

SG: Everyone believes that we will form the government... five years ago, I was in charge of Odisha, since then I have been viewing remarkable changes... fellow countrymen also understand that this can happen only under the flag of BJP.