Misuse of GST: Jayakumar warns action against traders

The Minister, who returned after attending the GST Council meet in Delhi, disclosed that the provision of setting up of anti-profiteering committees under the GST Act is being invoked to keep a tab on exorbitant pricing by traders.

“There are some products which do not come under the purview of the GST. If we come to know that a trader is collecting taxes for those products which are not covered under the GST, we will take strong action against him,” he said.

Some products, including milk, unbranded wheat, fresh fruits and vegetables do not come under the GST. “The rates are not absolute and final. The council, in its monthly meet, would take a call on the issues on a case by case basis. We have sought reassessment for as many as 57 items based on the representations received from various stakeholders from the state,” the Minister added.

Reacting to AIADMK deputy general secretary TTV Dinakaran appointing office-bearers for vacant posts, a visibly angered Jayakumar said that the attempt was aimed at derailing the AIADMK government.

“Some persons, whether it is A or B, you all know who is A and B... their objective is to bring down this government. They are taking all steps for that,” he alleged besides claiming Jayalalithaa’s soul will not allow such efforts by the traitors to fructify.

“I have already made it clear that the issue at hand is deciding the appointment of the general secretary. The matter is pending before the Election Commission. Therefore, the appointments (of office-bearers) announced by the deputy general secretary become null and void as his locus standi itself is in question,” he said.

On August 4, Dinakaran named several of his loyalists as office-bearers of the party in an attempt to make a comeback. While AK Bose, a legislator, named as joint-secretary agriculture wing refused to take up the post citing ill health, two other MLAs K Palani (Sriperumbudur) and Sathya Panneerselvam (Panruti) named for party’s subunits declined to take up the posts.