"GST is of the rich, by the rich and for the rich," says Congress leader TS Singh Deo

He also claimed that the current GST system was affecting the pockets of the common people and making the rich people richer.

"Today, a system which has been implemented in the name of One Nation One Tax (GST) in the country is - of the rich, by the rich and for the rich. The provisions of GST which are currently in force are making the rich richer and the middle class and the lower income group pay more GST. Ten percent of the rich population in the country are paying 3 to 4 percent GST tax while the 50 percent lower income group population of the country is contributing 64 percent GST, due to which it has become hard for them to run their family," Singh said while addressing media persons in Bhopal on Thursday.

The Congress leader further said that the businessmen were facing a lot of difficulties in paying taxes.

"More GST is being taken from the middle and lower income groups while corporate houses of the country are being given an annual exemption in corporate tax. It is completely impractical to take GST from the lower income group. One can understand why exemption was given in corporate tax. GST on food items should be abolished, while imposing GST on items like pencils is unjustified and citizens who take insurance for health security are paying 18 percent GST," Singh said.

"The government should simplify the GST rates and instead of increasing the GST rates, it can also be reduced by stopping tax evasion and increasing the revenue from the GST paid by the consumers," he added. (ANI)