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IAS officer Rajesh Prasad who is originally from Hiriyadka and current Delhi GST commissioner has said that there is possibility that the submission of GST returns may get simplified from Aprol 1st. He comes from a normal economic background and with general rank in education; he studied in a Kannada medium school and through his hard work, persistence and strong will power has reached a high level in life.
Will the simplification be implemented when the returns will be filed?
Currently, it needs to be filed three times in a month. Initially when the IT system was being created, it was like this. Then, experimental experience was not there. Since it was difficult to correct the original design, it was decided that it was enough to file once in a month. This is being drawn with respect to the suggestions of various catagories including the attorneys, entrepreneurs, auditors and others.
According to this, for businessmen doing business over Rs 5 crore need to file once in a month and those doing a business beneath that month need only file once in three months. But there is an expectation that a law stating that the tax be paid every month will come into effect on April 1st.
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Since almost a year and five months, GST is mostly functioning without any hitch. There are a few small problems. There were a few technical problems when the returns were being submitted. There is a demand that these be simplified.
Has the proposal to join petroleum products and excise into GST been implemented?
No. If petroleum products are brought within the GST, it will cause harm to the freedom of the state governments. To do this every state must agree. It is impossible to bring excise (liquor) business under this. This is completely within the limits of the state. For this to happen, the constitution needs to be amended. Excise is in the list of the state and it needs to be removed from the list of the state and brought into the list of the centre. When a problem similar to the one which has happened in Kerala occurs, it will provide opportunity for the state to increase tax through these two areas. Therefore, these two will not come under the GST for the near future.
What is your opinion on the central government’s action to appoint people from private sector for higher positions? What is the future of IAS system?
Giving opportunity for any talent is welcomed. For now, applications have been called for the position of 12 joint secretaries. I don’t know about the future developments. Be it IAS, politician or any one, they should be open for change. New thoughts must be welcomed. Just because they are from the private sector does not mean there is threat for the civil service system. But there is truth, only changing the IAS system will not suffice, all systems must change. For that, improvements must be brought from appointment to training to promotion and many other areas.
Is there a lack of interest amongst the youth of Karavali Karnataka with respect to IAS exams?
Lately, awareness on IAS is growing in Karavali Karnataka. Aren’t there many successful examples? The main things needs for passing IAS is interest, strong will power and hard work in studies. It does not mean that it requires only intelligence. When I was pursuing B Com I was a regular student. Later, for livelihood I joined the railway department in Goa. Then I joined as a clerk. After two years I joined Vijaya Bank, followed by Bank of Baroda. With the aim to pass the civil service exams I kept studying relentlessly. I passed. Only if one is hungry, he gets food, it will taste good right? If one makes up their mind, then the life becomes the teacher and the world becomes the school. A few clerks who were with me have now become head clerks. The mind set up of “We cannot do this” is not right. The teachers and parents must provide the right guidance and encouragement to the children.
Interviewer: Matapady Kumaraswamy translated into English by Aaron Dmello