GST rates cut with eye on elections: Chidambaram
New Delhi, July 22 : Former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said that the decision to slash GST rates on 100 mass-use items was taken keeping upcoming assembly elections in mind.
"When elections are around the corner, government cuts rates. I suppose that makes a good case for frequent elections in different state!" he said on Twitter.
Terming the decision "belated wisdom", he questioned why it was not taken earlier.
"GST Council cuts rates on 100 items, approves quarterly returns. Belated wisdom. Why did Government not follow our advice in July 2017?" he said.
Assembly elections are due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram later this year.
The GST Council on Saturday reduced tax rates on a slew of items including refrigerators, washing machines and small televisions from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, and cleared widely demanded exemption on sanitary pads.
The Congress leader also called the present GST regime "unreformed" and filled with "lacunae", and pitched for immediate implementation of three-rates structure."
"The present GST is still 'unreformed'. Government must notify three rates immediately and signal its intention to move to a single rate in the medium term. That will be true GST.
"There are many other lacunae in the GST law. I doubt if the government has the will or the skill to remove these lacunae."
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Bhambri-Goransson pair reaches Indian Wells quarterfinals
Indian Wells (USA) (PTI): India's top doubles player Yuki Bhambri and his partner Goran Goransson advanced to the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event at the Indian Wells Masters after registering a straight-set win over the pair of Sander Arends and Jiri Lehecka.
Bhambri and Goransson produced a solid performance to defeat Arends and Lehecka 6-4 6-4 in the pre-quarterfinal clash that lasted one hour and 14 minutes. They did not face any break point in the match and broke their rivals twice.
The Indo-Swedish pair maintained control through most of the match, securing a crucial break in each set to seal the contest in straight sets.
Bhambri and Göransson will take on Alexander Erler of Austria and Andrea Vavassori from Italy in the last-eight stage of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
