BJP accuses AAP govt of manipulating GST figures
Chandigarh: BJP Punjab general secretary Anil Sarin launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt, alleging that an atmosphere of open loot, intimidation and fear had been created in the state in the name of the goods and services tax (GST). He said finance minister Harpal Cheema's claim of a 16% rise in GST revenue was nothing but a manipulation of figures and a deception of the public.
Sarin said by projecting a collection of Rs 17,860 crore from April to Nov, the AAP govt is trying to mislead the people of Punjab. The reality, he said, is that GST refunds of traders were deliberately withheld for months. Files were lying unattended since May, while the govt is masking its failure by showing inflated and false revenue figures. On this occasion, BJP state media head Vineet Joshi and co-treasurer Sukhwinder Singh Goldy were also present.
He alleged that the GST department was instructed to conduct multiple inspections — up to four per trader — and to carry out targeted recoveries of nearly Rs 100 crore every month. Officials are allegedly intimidating traders in the name of penalties, issuing a barrage of notices, and using State Intelligence to pressurise and choke businesses.
Sarin added that the govt itself admitted that collections through State Intelligence increased from Rs 321 crore to Rs 618 crore. This clearly proves that money is being extracted through fear, coercion, and intimidation, which cannot be termed tax reform under any circumstances, he said.
