CAIT National Senior Vice President Mr. Brij Mohan Agrawal, State President Sri P.C. Nayak & General Secretary Odisha Byabashee Mahasangh & working President CAIT Sri Sudhakar Panda informed that during the two days meeting held on 13th and 14th August, the trade leaders expressed deep concern over delay in GST and while taking a strong note of the roadblocks being created by political fraternity the leaders felt dismay that political considerations have dominated economic reforms which can not be held justified.
The Conference in a unanimous resolution called upon all political parties to pave smooth passage for passing of GST Bill in Parliament since GST assumes much significance for traders and will relieve them from multiple taxes and multiple Authorities. However, the Conference also called upon Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley to open straight dialogue with traders on GST since the trading community has its various concerns on GST.
Mr. Agrawal, Mr. Nayak & Mr. Panda further informed that the Confederation has also called for separate specified guidelines for e commerce business in the Country whereas the Confederation strongly opposed any move to bring FDI in retail trade and in e commerce business. ” We shall oppose any move to bring FDI in retail and e commerce tooth and nail. The Confederation also urged upon Mr. Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha to formulate a State Trade Policy for retail Trade and a separate Ministry of Internal Trade at State level to ensure and monitor structured growth of trade in Odisha. The trade leaders at the Conference in a separate resolution urged upon Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to formulate a National Trade Policy for Retail Trade and a separate Ministry of Internal Trade at Centre.
Shankracharya of Govardhan Peeth Shri Nischalanand Saraswati while addressing the trade leaders at the Conference strongly condemened soft move to allow multinational companies to enter into retail trade of India which will culminate into economic slavery. The MNCs are bound with a mandate of earning profit since they are indulging into commercial activities and as such expectation from them to develop our trade is useless. There is an urgent need to protect not only trade but also our ancient cultural, heritage and social ecosystem from the hands of MNCs-said Shankaracharya. Due dignity and honour must be awarded to traders who are an integral part of our system since ages. Of course, development is need of the hour but it should not be at cost of our economy and culture.