Bengaluru, July 21: Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said that the BJP was trying to shift the blame of GST notices to small traders on the state government.
Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, “The BJP government at the Centre had fixed a turnover limit of Rs 40 lakh for the GST registration and had also intimated the state governments to follow it. The GST office has issued notices to about 14,000 traders including tender coconut, flower, vegetable vendors. Our leader Rahul Gandhi had opposed the GST in the past. The BJP must withdraw the GST notices issued to small traders. The CM will discuss with the officials and take necessary steps on the GST notices issued.”
Asked if the state government would write to the Centre about the GST notices, he said, “We will certainly write to them. We need to get justice for our people, it is affecting small and medium traders. Our state contributes the highest for GST pool.”
Asked if the notices have been issued in view of the tax collection targets given by CM Siddaramaiah, he said, “The officials are following the rules set by the Centre’s GST Council. These notices have been issued due to the pressure from the Central GST Council.”
PIL against corporations under GBA
Asked about the PIL filed against formation of five corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, he said, “People are entitled to file PILs. We will correct if we have made any mistakes but our government is committed to form five corporations under the GBA. We have had detailed discussions on this with BJP leaders and we had even formed a House joint committee. Suggestions are accepted even now. They are trying to politicise this issue.”
Replying to a question on AICC General Secretary Surjewala’s visit, he said, “The CM and I will travel to Delhi on July 25. The Parliament is also in progress. I don’t have any more information.”
Asked about formation of SIT, he said, “There are opinions in favour and against. The Home minister is handling it. There are very senior officials in the team and it will throw light on it.”
Asked if the SIT has been formed to divert attention, he said the BJP had an issue on anything the government did. “The issue is getting significant attention in the media. It is our duty to look into it.”
