Tennyson Fernandes
In Greek mythology, Trojan horse is a hollow wooden statue of a horse in which the Greeks are said to have concealed themselves in order to enter and conquer the city of Troy. When some of our fellow citizens from Goa and other parts of India have migrated to the Middle East, United States of America, United Kingdom and other European countries in search of greener pastures, I have always believed in contributing to the productivity of our country India.
For the last two years, I have been working as a professional training consultant for a private sector bank. I have been rendering my services as a trainer for the bank in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The former Prime Minister of India and the great Economist, Dr. Manmohan Singh demonstrated great statesmanship qualities by facilitating the smooth sailing of GST in the Rajya Sabha but looks like that those belonging to the government concealed themselves in the GST Council, an Indian version of the Trojan horse which has conquered the people of India with the exorbitant GST rates even on essential commodities.
The 18 per cent GST on services along with the penalty of Rs 200 per day for late filing of the GST returns might even kill patriotic small services providers like me. As per the Indian Contract Act, 1872, lawful monetary consideration which means something in return is an essential of a valid contract. How can the government expect small service providers to pay a high GST returns liability when they themselves have not received their monetary consideration? Imposing the penalty of Rs 200 per day for late filing of GST returns due to late receipt of monetary considerations is like rubbing salt on the wounds.
The GST Council in India has given a relief and special treatment to exporters as according to them taxes on exports make them uncompetitive globally. The Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has announced the setup of an e-wallet to help the exporters with refunds. It looks like the government is encouraging patriotic citizens of India to explore the possibilities of contributing to the productivity of other nations in the world. The torture of those contributing to the productivity of the nation can lead to an increase in brain drain in India. A big thank you to the Finance Minister for waiving off the late fee for July, August and September or else a small service provider like me would have to bear the GST penalty as high as Rs 1 lakh in addition to the burden of paying EMIs of housing and personal loans and as a sole bread winner providing for a family of five members. But a lot more needs to be done. The GST Council has reduced GST from 18% to 5% on textile job work to safeguard the vote bank in the poll bound Gujarat. I appeal to the lawyer turned Union Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley lower the ornamental GST rates on essential commodities and on services provided by small service providers.
(This article is being published only with the sole intention of highlighting the pain suffered by the common man on account of high GST rates).
