GST drive harassing middle class, small businesses in Punjab: Warring

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Tuesday accused CM Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government of betraying people by enforcing what he described as “GST terrorism” to fund his political ambitions.

Warring accused AAP of looting state’s middle class and small business owners to finance its “lavish election” campaigns and “extravagant advertisement” budgets.

Warring said messages were being circulated across districts, instructing govt officials to conduct arbitrary raids on salons, beauty parlours, and cosmetic shops during festive season, targetting them with undue pressure to check B2C invoicing.

The PPCC chief said AAP’s policies were causing psychological and financial strain on the middle class and business community. “Entrepreneurs in Punjab are living in fear, not just of criminals, but of their own govt,” he said.

Warring said the GST enforcement drive, coupled with AAP’s rampant spending, would only worsen the state’s already fragile economy. “They have chosen the festive season to execute these raids. At a time when Punjabis should be celebrating, they are being terrorised by this GST racket. AAP is ruining Punjab’s festivals while they rolling in luxury,” he added.