SAD asks Manpreet Badal to tell Punjabis why he failed to get SGPC langar purchases exempted from GST at Council meeting.

Chandigarh, September 10 – The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal to tell Punjabis why he had failed to take up the issue of exempting purchases made by SGPC for preparing “langar” from imposition of GST at the GST Council meeting yesterday.

In a statement here, party Mp and spokesman Prem Singh Chandumajra said it was mystifying as to why Manpreet Badal had not taken up this issue at the GST Council as promised by him and why he had failed to explain and win this concession for the State.

Mr Chandumajra said before leaving for the GST Council meeting the finance minister had told newsmen that he would take up this issue and ensure it was resolved to the satisfaction of Punjabis. “However even as other States have won reprieve for their stakeholders by getting GST rates lowered for several items, Manpreet Badal failed to get this sensitive issue debated and solved at the Council meeting”.

Terming Manpreet Badal’s behaviour as a gross insult to Sikh sentiments, Mr Chandumajra said forget presenting the State’s case for exempting langar purchases like sugar, ghee, dry milk and pulses from GST, the finance minister had not even offered to forgo the 50 per cent GST refund on these items so that the benefit could be passed on to the SGPC. “All these purchases were exempt from VAT which has been replaced by GST during the earlier SAD- BJP government. This clearly shows Manpreet Badal’s bent of mind and now it is for the devotees to judge him by his actions”, the MP added.

Mr Chandumajra said by not taking up this issue and getting it resolved in favour of Punjab the finance minister had also disobeyed the directive and line taken by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh. “The CM has written a letter to the Union finance minister and sought this exemption for the SGPC. Manpreet Badal was duty bound to take follow up action and get the issue resolved. Now it is up to the chief minister to decide as to what action should be taken against the finance minister for this act of wilful disobedience”, he added.