On the basis of cooperation and consensus, GST has provided a strong platform for the Indian economy. One Nation, one market and one tax system was established with the introduction of the GST on July 1, 2017, said Deputy Chief Minister Jushnu Dev Varma.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that success of any scheme depends on the engagement of people – for this reason, the success that India scripted during the last 5 years in GST is being celebrated with the mass involvement”, Dev Varma who also holds the portfolio of Finance said in the programme organized by the Department of Taxes at the conference hall of Hapania International Fair Ground in Agartala.

The state government on Thursday felicitated 90-year-old Dulal Roy Chowdhury of M/s Standard Mart among 26 outstanding taxpayers on the occasion of five years of GST collection.

“Attended Celebration of 5 years of GST organised by Tax Dept of Tripura. 26 Taxpayers were felicitated. It was encouraging to see the 90 year senior citizen Sri Dulal Roy Chowdhury of M/s Standard Mart receive the certificate for outstanding taxpayer,” the Deputy Chief Minister wrote in a social media post.

On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said, tax payment was complex before the GST introduction.

He further said, “Ultra Small, Small and medium scale industries are the main pillars of the country’s economy. The burden of taxes was reduced after the introduction of the GST on enterprises. Taxes on 400 items and 80 services were reduced after GST implementation”.

Among other dignitaries, the programme was attended by Brijesh Pandey, Secretary of the Finance Department, and the Chief Commissioner of Taxes, Tripura.

According to the Deputy Chief Minister, the introduction of GST has not only ensured transparency in tax collection but also reduced taxes on various goods and services.

“GST has introduced transparency in the tax through automated IT system. Out of 230 items that were in the 28 per cent now only 30 luxury items. GST has brought down taxes of many goods and services,” Dev Varma mentioned in the social media post.

He also wrote, “All decisions are taken through consensus in the GST Council composed of all states and the Centre. It has become a unique constitutional body of Federal Cooperation in National Interest.”

Costs of Inter-state goods transport were slashed owing to the GST, the Deputy Chief Minister asserted.