the goan I network
VASCO
Panchayats and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho on Sunday said that the GST Council meeting in Goa had taken some meaningful decisions that would be like a second opening for the Indian economy after 1991.
Godinho was speaking to reporters after inaugurating a dandiya workshop at Keshav Smruti School in Dabolim in the presence of BJP Mahila Morcha President Sulakshana Sawant, wife of Goa CM Dr Pramod Sawant.
While slamming the pessimists, Godinho said GST regime was a great success and there were still some changes that were bound to be done to plug tax evasions.
“The 37th GST Council meeting taking place in Goa for the very first time itself is of great importance. The big bang announcements, including lowering of corporate taxes, were welcomed by the industry and business community from the entire country.”
He said after the opening of the economy in 1991, Goa’s GST decision was a very significant one as it will bring in more foreign investmnet and create more jobs.
“Looking at the trade war between China and USA, this is a golden opportunity which needs to be seized. The Centre by PM Narendra Modi along with Finance Minister has taken a big stride to make India a 5 trillion economy by 2025,” Godinho said.
“There are many pessimists. I don’t think with such a huge income every month, anyone can call GST a failure. Yes, tax evasions have to be plugged. One small enquiry revealed evasions to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore. Even if half of such evasions are plugged, we can have monthly income of Rs 120 lakh in GST taxes,” he stated.
He said, “The most important decision for Goa was reducing GST on hotel rates. This is going to enable hoteliers and other stakeholders in the tourism industry to compete with other nations in Asia.”
