Lucknow, 9 Oct (HS): Bharatiya Janata Party state president

and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Friday that

the central government's objective is to create a business environment in which

small traders, entrepreneurs, and businessmen can expand their businesses without

unnecessary procedural hassles. Simplification of the GST system, transparency,

and ease of doing business are part of this comprehensive approach.

Ease of doing business is Modi's guarantee: Pankaj Chaudhary

stated that the decisions taken at the 57th meeting of the GST Council, chaired

by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, are part of efforts in this

direction. The government's reforms to simplify the GST process and reduce

business-related difficulties will encourage businesses to expand their businesses

and contribute more effectively to the nation's economic progress. Under Prime

Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the central government has consistently

strived to provide businesses with a simple, transparent, and convenient

business environment. Encouraging business activity, increasing employment

opportunities, and strengthening the country's economy are key dimensions of

this goal.

Chaudhary said that since the implementation of GST,

necessary changes have been made from time to time. By replacing four tax slabs

with two major ones and bringing most items used in everyday life under tax

rates of 5 percent or less, efforts have been made to simplify the tax system

and make it more useful to the public. The government's priority is to reduce tax

compliance difficulties and make doing business easier.

He stated that changes in tax-related matters such as the

arrest process, the scope of legal action, and minimum penalties are important

in addressing business concerns. The decision has been made to reduce the

minimum penalty, which was previously Rs. 25,000, to Rs. 10,000. Furthermore,

the provision of no action for tax liabilities less than Rs. 10,000 will

provide relief to businesses. These changes will provide relief to small

businesses and increase confidence in business activities.

The Union Minister of State for Finance said that steps have

also been taken to reduce unnecessary interference in the processes related to

the detention of cargo vehicles. This will help reduce inconvenience to traders

and facilitate the movement of goods.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi