To dispel GST confusions, Union ministers to travel across country in the First week of July

NEW DELHI: It is going to be a busy travel schedule for ministers in the Narendra Modi government till the end of the first week of July.With the GST (Goods and Services Tax) rollout across the country slated for July 1, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is gearing up to deal with the new tax regime and plans to send out all its top ministers and leaders across the country “to dispel any confusion” that arises out of it and explain matters during the implementation of the new system and its implications to the stakeholders.

The government is preparing a detailed list of ministers who will be going out to state capitals and other important centres between July 2 and 7, to discuss with stakeholders like industry groups, traders, small businessmen and others who will be affected by the new tax system.

Many ministers have been asked to postpone or cancel other programmes during this period as implementing GST is a priority for the Centre.

In fact, apart from Presidential elections coming up on July 17, ministers in the government Modi cabinet have a hectic domestic travel schedule chalked out from the June 21, which is celebrated as World Yoga Day. Schedules for ministers and leaders including the PM are being finalised on who will be in which city on June 21 to participate in the Yoga Day function. Those travelling abroad on that day may even participate in yoga day functions in the respective countries that they are visiting in coordination with the Indian embassies.

After the June 21 travel schedule is over, the ministers will also be travelling across the country to celebrate Anti-Emergency Day on June 25, where again different leaders will be at various destinations across the country to participate in public functions to recall the days of the Emergency Rule imposed by the Congress regime under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

However, while the original plan was to commemorate the day on June 26, it has been decided that it will now be brought forward by a day as Eid celebrations fall on June 26. Since Emergency was imposed at midnight of June 15 in 1975, it was decided to bring it forward by a day so that it does not clash with Eid, according to a party source.