From Our Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday accused the Modi government of slamming “tax terrorism” on the small traders through a gazette notification on July 7 to bring the Goods and Services Tax (GST) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to terrorise them, particularly in the election year.
Its senior leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior advocate, told a Press conference at the AICC headquarters here that the notification was issued without discussion in Parliament or any consultation in the GST Council, where nine major states protested, with the same excuses advanced at the time of the demonetisation: terror funding and tax evasion.
He said this step by the Control-freak government is to frighten the small traders trying to support the opposition parties and impose a fear in their minds unless they back the BJP and come under its “washing mchine.”
The small traders already reeling under the huge cost of compliance will be further harassed in a new weapon given to the Enforcement Directorate by bringing the surveillance on their business under the July 7 notification, he asserted.
The real reason for bringing the notification in a tearing hurry without any discussions is the elections to control and creat fear in the minds of the traders, Singhvi said, stressing that the small traders who do not come in the ambit of GST will be questioned why they avoid the tax. He said this is to spread terror in the poll arena.
In reply to a question on the Congress moving the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court’s verdict last week on confirmation of the 2-year jail to Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case, Singhvi said a petition will be filed in near future.
