Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera told a New Year press conference here that it would be a lie to wish people a “prosperous year” in view of the prevailing inflation situation. He told about the list of items whose prices will increase further this year like shoes, online booking for travel by auto, FMCG products, ATM service charges, cement, steel etc.
Khera said the only way to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from increasing the prices of daily necessities is for him to taste defeat in the elections.
He said, “The central government was going to increase the GST on the textile industry from January 1, but it decided to postpone the move. Gujarat is the center of the textile industry. He did this in view of the upcoming elections in five states and the subsequent elections in Gujarat (in December this year).
Khera said that the BJP only understands the language of victory and defeat and it has nothing to do with the prosperity of the people.
He said that the Center decided to reduce the prices of petrol and diesel only after forfeiture of deposits in the by-elections to the Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh assembly seats. He said the government also withdrew the controversial agriculture laws.
Khera said the ruling party also tasted defeat in the urban civic polls in Karnataka a few days back and due to this it was also decided to defer the increase in GST on the textile industry.
“The indication is clear,” he said. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) only knows the language of votes, victory and defeat. They have nothing to do with running the government, our prosperity and what happens in the country. He will rectify his mistake only if he is defeated.
Kheda said, “If we want to rectify the mistakes, we should give them a face of defeat and answer in the language they understand.”
The GST Council had on September 17 decided that a uniform GST rate of 12 per cent would be applicable on all textile products except cotton. This decision was put on hold after the announcement of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
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