PANAJI
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar promised to handhold taxpayers for the initial three months under the new Goods and Services Tax regime, even as he said that trade and industry may not be yet ready for the new regime.
“I intend to create an advisory team which will be of chartered accountants and experts in every taluka. They will be available at a fixed place. Any individual can contact these experts. This hand holding exercise will continue for at least another three months,” Parrikar said adding that it will be a free consultation of sorts to understand the issue.
He also hinted that BCom graduates can be given training to help film forms for the GST regime and help the first time GST taxpayers to help with the formalities of the
new regime.
He however said there was some way to go before the State can consider itself
GST ready.
“The GST will become a game changer only when there is a smooth transition from one system to another. In real terms, the benefits will be seen within the next four months,” Parrikar said.
“We will get answers as we go along. Even as service tax was introduced, there were many questions. The biggest question was, what service does the government give that we have to pay service tax,” Parrikar said sarcastically.
“After six months everyone will realise that many of the issues have evaporated. All taxes, entertainment, luxury, service, VAT will disappear and be replaced by this tax. Overall it is a beneficial legislation,” Parrikar said.
“The State is prepared. The government is ready, but the people are yet to understand, the industry and trade is not ready, which is why we have training programmes,” Parrikar said adding that the government had the advantage of being prepared in advance, but the industry could begin gearing up only once the law was passed.
“We are going to conduct rounds of sensitization programmes. In June, between 5 and 25 there will be
programmes to gear up,” Parrikar said.
