Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal last week wrote to interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal, expressing deep concerns as the government braces for a fresh version of GST laws – 'GST 2.0.’

Badal in a letter to Goyal on June 22, said that GST Council should follow “an open minded approach with healthy stakeholder consultations before another round of legislative changes.”

He also impressed upon the need for changes in GST law adding, the law today "was a work done in a hurry without adequate stakeholder consultations.”

The three paged letter also highlighted that the council has ignored some of the recent suggestions, which were made by law review committee and Gautam Ray committee, the two platforms constituted to improve the existing law on a time to time basis.

Badal, who is also member of GST groups of ministers relating to incentivizing digital payments, cited examples, where government in the past did not engage in enough stakeholder consultations and passed changes in the laws.

"In January 2018, I found the revised GST law was approved in less than 30 minutes without any suggestions at ministerial level,” Badal said in the letter.

Badal further emphasised on the fact that GST Council discussions should be "wide enough and leave a taste of adequacy, transparency, open-mindedness and recognition of global best practices."

The strong-pitched letter has put suggestions for Goyal, which Badal has pointed for him to ponder upon.

Badal, who has also marked a copy of the letter to union finance secretary Hasmukh Adhia, has suggested that new proposed changes in law should be put in public domain and for at least one round of trade and industry consultations.

He has further added that final draft should be circulated to states at least one month in advance for their perspective. Badal also called for the allocation of an adequate period for detailed ministerial meetings on all proposed changes.

Post receiving suggestions from GST Council, one more round may be kept for finalisation of constitution of a sub-committee of a group of ministers to facilitate the changes, Badal in the said letter added.

First Published:Jun 25, 2018 8:14 PM IST