After the historical launch of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on the midnight of June 30, the BJP-led NDA government is taking every possible initiative to make the launch a victory. Narendra Modi‘s council of ministers have been ordered to reach out to major cities and state capitals to educate and explain the finer points to the people about GST.
It will be a week-long programme starting from Friday, during which the ministers will interact with stakeholders and clear all their doubts regarding GST. Each minister will be visiting 2-3 major cities, all of them being from their native states or the states they represent.
The schedule of few ministers is, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be visiting Madurai in Tamil Nadu (her native state) and Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh. Social justice and empowerment minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot would go to Indore in Madhya Pradesh (his native state). Tribal affairs minister Jual Oram would travel in Odisha. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will not be a part of this campaign, as he is suffering from a fractured leg and hence will not be able to travel.
The ministers have been given a toolkit, which includes a note on GST, possible questions and answers and ideas on types of interactions to hold.
Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had written a letter to all the ministers assigned for the campaign, giving them the details of what they have to do during their visits. He advised the ministers t keep the campaign media free, and if they wished to, could issue a press note later.
Naidu told the ministers to hold interactions with chartered accountants, chambers of commerce and industry and consumers, educate them about the finest details of GST and clear all their doubts. Nodal officers on GST are also provided to each minister, who will accompany them in all the meetings held, to guide them on any technical questions raised.
The letter written by Naidu read “Now that GST has kicked in, it becomes our responsibility to see that it is implemented properly and transformation of tax administration is smooth and efficient. We, as legislators and public representatives, are duty-bound to tell the people what the new system is intended for, how it works for the betterment of every section of society and how it is going to transform the economic landscape of the country. People have to be informed how it helps curb corruption and black money and improves tax compliance.”
He has also ordered the ministers to submit a report of their campaign and also mention the issues they came across during the mission.