Traders need hand-holding for resolving GST-related problems: PM

Traders across the country have been positive in accepting GST regime, but they need 'hand-holding' for resolving their problems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday.

Chairing his twenty-second interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, he also said that small businesses must register with the GST network, to take advantage of business opportunities.

According to an official statement, Modi said that while traders have accepting this new taxation arrangement, they need support for resolving their problems and urged the Chief Secretaries to use the district administration in this regard, so that small traders are facilitated to access and adopt the new system.

He said that the common man and the trader must benefit from this path-breaking decision and also called for sustained efforts to boost digital payments and work towards a less cash society.

The previous meetings of PRAGATI have so far seen a cumulative review of 190 projects with a total investment of Rs 8.94 lakh crore. Resolution of public grievances has also been reviewed in 17 sectors.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister also reviewed the progress towards handling and resolution of grievances related to the banking sector. He asked the Secretary, Financial Services, to look at ways to increase the use of RuPay debit cards that have been issued to Jan Dhan account holders.

He was briefed on the relief that has been received by the Jan Dhan account holders, as part of the insurance provisions that are linked to these accounts.

Modi also reviewed the progress of nine infrastructure projects in the railway, road, power, coal and gas pipeline sectors, spread over several states including Telangana, Karnataka, West Bengal, Manipur, Mizoram, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Delhi. The India Myanmar Friendship Bridge was also reviewed. These projects are cumulatively worth over Rs 37,000 crore.

The progress of the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), and the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India Campaign) for the Divyang was also reviewed.

The Prime Minister said that while many Union Government departments are now using the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), only ten states have so far shown keenness in using it, and urged all Chief Secretaries to explore its use to the extent possible, to minimize leakages and delays.

--IANS

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