Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], September 6 (ANI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Saturday credited LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for predicting the worries of people regarding GST, stating that almost every prediction made by Gandhi has proven correct.
Gehlot criticised the Centre for taking too long to act on GST reforms, announcing changes on August 15.
Speaking to ANI, Ashok Gehlot said, "Rahul Gandhi had said long ago that people from all walks of life are very worried about the GST, whether they are businessmen, consumers, or others. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that when the Leader of the Opposition makes a statement, it is well thought out... Almost every prediction made by Rahul Gandhi has proven to be correct."
He said that there should be only one slab in GST, emphasising the need for simplification.
"If the government had examined the GST on time, people would not be worried today... Now, you announced on 15 August... However, in my view, the government has taken too long to act on these failures. I believe that everything should be sorted out now, so there is no need for further decisions... There should ne only one slab in GST," Gehlot said.
Earlier on Wednesday, the 56th GST council meeting decided to rationalise GST rates to two slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent by merging the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates.
Gehlot also spoke about derogatory remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late mother during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Darbhanga, Bihar and expressed respect for Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's mother but questioned the point of Shekhawat's recent remarks on the defamation case.
The defamation case is related to Gehlot's statements regarding Shekhawat's alleged involvement in the Sanjeevani scam, in which approximately ₹900 crore was embezzled from investors.
"There is no point in what he says, so what should I answer? I respect his mother. He has also filed a defamation case against me despite the fact that SOG's investigation mentioned everyone's name, and it was on record... That's what I told the public and said that the poor should get justice in this Sanjeevani issue... I raised my voice against those people who were involved in the scam. However, their involvement ended as soon as the government changed," Gehlot told ANI.
Gehlot highlighted that the government submitted a report to the High Court claiming no crime was committed, but the case is still ongoing. A Delhi court has rejected Gehlot's plea to discharge him from the defamation case, allowing the proceedings to continue. Gehlot has been appearing via video conferencing.
"A new SOG report was submitted to the High Court by the government itself within just 2 months. If the government itself submitted a report and claimed no crime was committed, what would the judges do?... The case is still ongoing. The high court has stated that if the government wishes, it can seek permission again and continue the case. Some people are claiming that they have received a clean chit," he added.
Earlier in the day, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi's late mother "very unfortunate".
Speaking to ANI, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, "...Mother is an institution in our country... It is very unfortunate that derogatory remarks were used against PM Modi's late mother. This is a part of the DNA of the Congress party, as former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has made these kinds of statements against my mother also..." (ANI)
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