0
0
Summary
UP has currently objected to this proposal of the Central Government. The officers of the Energy Department have argued that it is necessary to evaluate the condition of all corporations before imposing GST.
Expansion
The central government has started considering bringing electricity under the ambit of GST. The Union Energy Minister has discussed with the officials of UP in this regard. However, the state has currently objected to this proposal of the central government. The officers of the Energy Department have argued that it is necessary to evaluate the condition of all corporations before imposing GST. Union Energy Minister RK Singh held video conferencing with the officials of Energy Department of Uttar Pradesh on the evening of 29th March. During this, he proposed to impose GST on the electricity bill. He asked the opinion of the UP officials and discussed several options. The Union Ministry of Power wants to bring electricity consumers in the commercial and industrial sector under the purview of GST in the first phase. Opinions are being taken from the states on this also. However, during the conference, Uttar Pradesh has expressed its disagreement on this proposal. The officers have argued that the condition of the power corporations should be evaluated. Then there will be talk on this. Both the pros and cons of imposing GST have to be evaluated.
State has suggested
Energy Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Mahesh Kumar Gupta told that the Center has just sought suggestions on this idea. The implementation process is long. A detailed report will be prepared on this stating the condition of the consumers. It will also be seen that if GST is included in the electricity bill then how much will be the burden. In the event of non-recovery, the load on the power companies will increase, then how will it be compensated? All these aspects will be considered. Only after this a decision will be taken.
Preparation to cut the pockets of consumers:
President of Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Consumers Council Awadhesh Kumar Verma has expressed his gratitude for raising objections on GST by the departmental officers. He said that there is a preparation to cut the pockets of the consumers through GST. This will not be allowed to be implemented at any cost. He has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and told that 3.26 crore electricity consumers of the state pay electricity duty of five to 7.59 per cent.
This year Rs 3032 crore has been given to the state government as electricity duty. In such a situation, if the Center imposes GST, the condition of the consumers will worsen. He has suggested that instead of imposing new taxes on consumers, expenses should be reduced.He has warned that if there is an attempt to forcefully impose GST, there will be protest against the rights of the consumers at every level.
