GST to be implemented with all precautions: Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said Good and Services Tax (GST) is will be implemented with all precautionary measures.

Speaking to media persons following her whirlwind tour of the temple town on Friday, she said GST is being implemented after consulting all the stakeholders. “All ministries are gearing up for fighting the loopholes in the system. After the launch, the people may face difficulties, respective ministries have their own network to work on the problems,” she said.

To a query on the problems of coconut growers (black headed leaf eating caterpillar infection), Nirmala said the growers have not given a representation to the government. She said she will respond only after understanding the problems.

She said the area nut growers are being helped by increasing the import duty significantly on areca nut, as the arecanut from Sri Lanka with much cheaper price and less quality has been imported and has affected the marketing of the arecanut in the country.

To a query on day-to-day increase in fuel prices though the crude oil price has come down, she said oil marketing companies are given the liberty to fix the price reflecting the fluctuations globally. A complete reduction is not possible as the government is spending a lot of money on transport infrastructure. The connectivity in the transport is being enhanced. The way of generating income is the core concern as the long-term maintenance and development of transport system is the need of the hour.

On the H-1B Visa and cut down of job opportunities for Indians in the US, the minister said Nasscom has come up with replies which assure that people need not panic as it is only reshuffling and the prime minister during his visit to the US will take up the issue with the US President. 

A mega project at a cost of Rs 5 crore is coming up at Tadadi, Uttara Kannda district, wherein all common facilities for fishermen will be made available under one umbrella. Rs 2 crore has been already released for the purpose.