Manish Sisodia lauds Jaitley over GST, says 'grateful' to him

In a rare show of admiration, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lauded Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley over the passage of the GST Bill, saying the AAP government is "grateful" to him for pushing for tax reforms in the country.

Addressing a seminar on GST here, Sisodia said the Delhi government is a supporter of new tax reforms subject to "non-harassment" of traders.

"We should congratulate the Centre and Jaitleyji for bringing GST. As per my view, the governments which have implemented the GST across the world have been unpopular (among some sections who have to adjust during the transition)," he said.

He said GST becomes "unpopular" among the sections who have to adjust during the transition from one system of taxes to another. But it's (GST) beneficial for the public at large.

"We are grateful to Jaitleyji for pushing for the tax reforms after talking to all party leaders. GST is the need of the country...I am supporter of GST and Delhi government is also a supporter of GST subject to non-harassment of traders," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

The Delhi government had been at loggerheads with the Union Finance Minister in the past over alleged irregularities in Delhi Districts Cricket Association (DDCA).

"Delhi government has cleared its stand that there should be Rs 20 lakh threshold limit under GST, but some states want to bring it down upto Rs 5 to 10 lakh following which traders will have to face problems," he added.

He further said traders should be apprised of benefits of GST in Delhi.

In August this year, The Delhi Assembly had ratified the GST Bill.