GST has become new tool of blackmail and extortion, says Congress' Gaurav Gogoi in Lok Sabha

GST

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi on Tuesday said that “GST has become the new tool of blackmail and extortion.” Gogoi, who is the Deputy Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, slammed the Centre over the new Income Tax Bill as well. In his speech during the ongoing session of Parliament, Gogoi said that “GST raids have become the new architecture of harassment.”

The Congress lawmaker added that the compliance has gone down and the 2023 data shows that evasion of taxes has gone up. Calling the new I-T Bill another ‘harassment tool,” Gogoi added that the Bill is giving sweeping power to an income tax officer who can gain full access to an individual’s phone and take a look at the social media account if the need be. He asked that the intention of the government is clear by the provisions of the I-T bill.

Gogoi also raised questions regarding absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Parliament during the discussion of Manipur. On this, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Opposition is in habit of “insulting the prime minister.”

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said Modi had informed him about his foreign visit and pointed out that previous prime ministers too have undertaken visits abroad during Parliament sessions.

"If you want peace in Manipur, let the people of Manipur speak. If you want peace in Manipur, have patience to listen to the people of Manipur. What are their political aspirations, what are their apprehensions, fears? You should have the strength to listen to it," Gogoi said.

(With inputs from PTI)