BJP's manifesto far ahead than Congress, says CAIT

Addressing the mediapersons, CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal while comparing the manifesto of both the BJP and Congress said that on one side the BJP has given due importance and recognition to core issues of the business community in its manifesto whereas the Congress has kept traders limited to three issues which are illogical and can't be implemented easily.

Khandelwal also regretted that Congress president Rahul Gandhi on April 3 spoke derogatory words for the trading community by saying that for his NYAY Yojna he will snatch funds from 'Chor Vyapari'.

'By calling traders as thief, Gandhi has insulted entire trading community of the country which has sent gross resentment and anguish among traders. No politician has ever used such a filthy word for the trading community but the words uttered by Mr Gandhi are shameful and needs to be deeply condemned. The Congress party may pay a heavy price for it in the elections,' he said.

He said that in it's manifesto, the Congress has promised to replace GST system with a new taxation system which will have one uniform tax rate for all commodities.

'It has also committed to abolish e-way bill system and has assured that traders doing new business will be free to conduct business for first three years without any permission. The big question is that the current GST system has been drafted and implemented by GST council unanimously in which Finance ministers of Congress ruled states were also a party and at a time when current GST is going to be a stable taxation system, any new taxation system in place of GST is not easily possible in a large federal country like India,' he said.

'On the other hand India is a land of diversity and as such imposing a uniform tax on one and all irrespective of economic status will create disparities and anomalies and the weaker section will be largely affected adversely,' he said.

'If e-way bill is abolished, how unauthorised movement of goods will be checked between two or more states,' he said.

Khandelwal said on the other hand the BJP while recognising the yeomen services rendered by business community has taken core and basic issues of traders in it's manifesto.

'While committing for simplification and rationalisation of GST taxation system, the BJP has promised to create a 'National Traders Welfare Board' and a 'National Policy for Retail Trade' which will align the trading community with mainstream of economy and will ensure a speedy growth.The party has also
committed to give pension to traders above the age of 60 years and accidental insurance of Rs 10 lakh to every trader registered under GST,' he said.

'The BJP has also declared to issue 'Vyapari Credit Card' on the pattern of 'Kisan Credit Card' which will enable the traders to obtain soft loans in a speedy way. The BJP manifesto has also taken care of start-ups and MSMEs. It has also committed to set up technology centres to upscale the skills of the traders,' he said.

'The CAIT will keep talking to BJP leadership to implement the promises at first instance when gets elected for second time whereas it will also urge the Congress leadership to give priority to issues of traders on it's agenda,' he added.