GST - Arrogance of Government

Last week I met around 100 SME entrepreneurs and accountants.  The common thread running among them is

                      We are ready, but is the Government ready?

A very fair point with

1. Most of the rules still cooking
2. Some of the States yet to pass SGST laws
3. Uncertainty when J&K will form part of GST
4. No clarity on e-way bill as this will bring in significant work load
5. No clarity on anti-profiteering laws
6. GSTN portal not fully ready
7. the question whether all our officers are properly trained

With uncertainties ruling high entrepreneurs, accountants, consultants are a confused lot.  They await more clarity from Government before they can move forward with actions. Unfortunately Government is taking its time to provide clarifications, but keep pushing for the deadline of 1st July 2017, without allowing time for trade to understand GST and implement the same.

This shows arrogance on the part of Government.  They had time from 2006 when GST was formally announced in Parliament now we are in 2017, 11 whole years to prepare but still they choose the last month to release rules &  finalise but expect trade to be ready with all systems and at the same time be 100% compliant.  

Government is proposing to play relay run with industry.  It is running with the baton and will pass on to industry the baton at midnight of 30th June 2017 and industry has to run with full speed and take gold - absolutely ridiculous. 

Industry is under prepared as they are prepared only for what they know with Government still having items hidden under its sleeve does not augur well for industry.

A Government which has development of industry on its agenda first should be well prepared on its side allow industry to sink within itself all provisions of law and then implement GST.  In short, after all laws  / rules are ready 1 month should be given to industry to implement GST.  I strongly  recommend 1st August 2017 to be the date for GST implementation.