GST not an easy reform to implement, says FM Jaitley

The Goods and Services Tax was not an "easy reform to implement" but it has evoked "great" public support with the government deciding not to blink in the face of opposition to the new taxation measure, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said today.

"We have today reached a stage of history where there is a great amount of popular support behind reforms because people have become restless. They are not willing to be satisfied with a situation wherein India cannot reach up to its potential," he said here.

Jaitley was in the city to address a GST Conclave organised by various industry bodies like CII and FICCI.

"I can say with a reasonable expectation for the future that it (GST) was not a very easy reform to implement. Occasionally, there are people who try and prevent any reform from happening," he said.

Jaitely said he had learnt in the last few years that one should not blink if convinced that a reform was in the national interest. "If you pause, blink, go into a reconsideration mode, then those who want to trip you will never allow those reforms to take place," he said.

However, this time there was "great amount of public support" for the Goods and Services Tax as people have become "restless," he said.

The finance minister said the pressure was on those who were blocking important legislations, disrupting parliament or when there was a time gap when the GST amendment was not allowed to be passed.

Such 'public pressure' existed even on governments to continue to act and act correctly, and the popular opinion in the country was undergoing a "transformational change," he said.

"Therefore, let me say, that it is the people who have compelled this reform and brought the Centre and states together," he said.

The finance minister said the Centre was aware of several issues being raised, adding that he was "conscious" of the difficulties, and therefore, constant interactions were happening on GST.