Delhi: Process to register traders under GST launched

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia launched a process for getting city traders registered under Goods and Services Tax regime. GST is expected to be rolled out in 2017.

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Delhi government on Friday launched a process for getting city traders registered under Goods and Services Tax regime, which is expected to be rolled out in 2017.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who formally initiated the procedure that continues till December 31, sought "queries and concerns" from the traders to properly shape up the new tax law. Sisodia said the GST is a new tax reform and also good for the country and it will benefit every citizen and trader as well.

There are currently around 3.48 lakh traders registered with the Trade and Taxes Department of Delhi Government and they are eligible to get themselves registered under GST regime.

"There is good atmosphere about GST in the country. We have started the practice of registering 3.50 lakh traders under GST regime so that they won't have to face problems when the new tax law comes into force. We hope that GST will be implemented from April 1 in the country," Sisodia said while addressing a gathering in New Delhi.

He also said that GST is currently in initial state and it is our responsibility to properly shape it.

"Traders should come forward and tell us about their queries and concerns relating to GST so that I could raise them in the GST council," Sisodia, who also holds finance portfolio, said. The Deputy CM also demanded that the word- 'dealers' which exists in the current tax law should be replaced with 'partners' in the GST regime.

"I don't know why 'dealers' word is there (in existing tax law). It should be replaced with 'partners' as traders collect tax from people and give it to the state government and hence, they are 'partners' in collecting tax. Instead of calling them dealers, they should be called partners," he said.

A senior government official said that a self-training module is available on the website- gst.gov.in and that could be used for understanding the process. All verification of documents will be done online. If all documents are provided, the process will be completed in just few minutes, he said.

PTI