PM Modi takes stock of Finance Ministry's steps for smooth roll out of GST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the steps taken by the Finance Ministry for a smooth roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and anti-black money drive post demonetisation. Mr Modi held a review meeting in New Delhi yesterday, which was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and other senior revenue officials.

Sources said, Mr Modi urged the officials to speed up action against Benami property holders. The revenue department had warned that those involved in benami transactions will be awarded a rigorous imprisonment of up to seven



years. Through advertisements in newspapers, it had also cautioned that benami properties would be attached and confiscated.

The sources also said, the meeting reviewed progress made in the anti-black money drive, called Operation Clean Money, and the tax amnesty scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.It is believed that measures being planned by the tax department against tax evaders were also discussed during the meeting. Government intends to implement GST from 1st of July and various issues, including its preparedness, also came up at the meeting.