Govt cut rates with eye on elections: PC

New Delhi, July 22

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday took a dig at the government for reducing GST rates on nearly 100 items ahead of assembly elections in four states, saying holding frequent polls is good for the people.

In a series of tweets, Chidambaram said the present GST regime is still “unreformed” and the government must notify three rates immediately and signal its intention to move to a single rate in the medium term, which will be the true GST. “When elections are round the corner, government cuts rates. I suppose that makes a good case for frequent elections in different states!,” he said.

“The GST Council cuts rates on 100 items, approves quarterly returns. Belated wisdom. Why did government not follow our advice in July 2017? “There are many other lacunae...I doubt if the government has the will or the skill to remove these.” — PTI