P Chidambaran on Subramanian Swamy's GSTN letter to Modi: I don't read what Swamy says
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy wrote a letter to PM Modi questioning the GST network, which was incidentally formed during Congress leader P Chidambaram's tenure.
In Short
- Swamy wrote to Modi questioning the GST network.
- GSTN was formed under Chidambaram's tenure.
- GSTN CEO said no plan to end PPP; Chidambaram took a jibe at Swamy.
After the historic GST bill sailing through the Parliament, the BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has once again raked up a controversy.
This time he has targeted the Goods and Services tax network, a public private venture that was created to implement the Goods and Services Tax.
Subramanian Swamy has alleged that the company was formed during the UPA and needs to be replaced by full government controlled authority.
GSTN FORMED DURING CHIDAMBARAM'S TENURE
Interestingly, GSTN was formed during then Finance Minister P Chidambaram's tenure. Both leaders are known to share an acrid chemistry.
While the BJP had kept Swamy who is also a Rajya Sabha MP away from participating in GST discussion in the house, the leader is hitting back.
"Everything else such as adjusting the percentage of GST for various states are just a matter of programming which should be done by the Government itself through its department of Electronics", said Subramnian Swamy in a letter to PM.
Also Read: Review UPA's amendments to GST, Subramanian Swamy writes to PM Modi
Subramanian Swamy alleged financial loss and security threat with private entities handling sensitive data of GST implementation.
"Its highly demoralizing for private entities that have partnered with us to usher in a landmark reform. The top management is very upset, the politicians should appreciate the tremendous amount of work that we are doing", said an official at GSTN.
Currently, Centre owns 24.5 per cent stake, states own 24.5 per cent stakes while rest 51 per cent is with other non-governmental financial institutions including LIC Housing Finance Ltd, ICICI Bank, HDFC bank, HDFC limited and NSE strategic investment corporation.
GSTN CEO, CHIDAMBARAM RESPONDS
GST network CEO Prakash Kumar while speaking to India Today assured that there has not been any indication to end the PPP so far.
'We are working to deliver on schedule. No change in public private partnership. We are ready to meet the timeline set for GST implementation", he added.
Meanwhile, when India Today questioned P Chidambaram, he responded in his characteristic jibe to Swamy, "I don't read what Swamy says".
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Rashtra Niti is above Raj Niti: PM Modi thanks all parties for their support to GST
What is the GST bill? Here's all you need to know about India's biggest tax reform