Tewari suggests end to end e-governance for VAT refunds LUDHIANA, September 3: Ludhiana MP and the national spokesperson of the Congress Manish Tewar

Tewari suggests end to end e-governance for VAT refunds

LUDHIANA, September 3: Ludhiana MP and the national spokesperson of the Congress Manish Tewari has suggested “end to end e governance” in the state taxation department so that the business community gets the VAT (value added tax) refund in minimum period of time.

In a letter addressed to the Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Tewari said, as on now the refund period ranges between sixty to ninety days, which means three months. “It is quite a long time for the business community to get their money blocked hence the period should necessarily be reduced to a maximum of 21 days only”, he observed.

The MP pointed out, under the current recessionary phase when circulation is getting very difficult it is the right of the businessmen to claim the refund of their own money on time. “After all they must not be penalized for being honest and paying their VAT in advance in the hope that the extra tax would be refunded on time”, he remarked.

Lauding the efficiency and concern of Manpreet Badal towards economic and industrial growth of the state, Tewari said, it would be an important step towards providing relief to the business community.

He said, while 21 days might seem to be too short a period, but in case the end to end e governance is introduced the refund can be made within a few minutes only. He pointed out, the software for the purpose was available off the shelf and there was no need to even get it customized. Besides, he disclosed, the Union Ministry for Information and Technology was also providing assistance to the states for launching e governance platforms.