No approval for RGST from CCI: Shahbaz

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister has rejected Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s claim that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had approved the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST), saying, “We are not against more taxation. But in the given scenario when the charges of corruption and plunder are rampant and there is no one to hold the culprits accountable, we will not become a part of burdening the masses with more taxes.”
In an interview with Nawa-i-Waqt, he was of the view that the measure would generate more inflation; therefore, the PML-N would resist such moves having negative repercussions for the people.
Shahbaz said the PML-N’s stance over the RGST and the increase in Excise Duty just after the record hike in petroleum prices was no secret, adding that the depressed Pakistanis were being deprived of their capacity to survive.
He said, “We feel ourselves answerable to the masses and that is why Mian Nawaz Sharif had written a letter to President Zardari to shift his attention towards anti-people acts.”
He said if the govts followed the policy of making the lives of people miserable how could they trust them.
Shahbaz urged the govt to control the corruption, especially in state-run entities, before opting for new taxes.
“How can we claim to be elected govts when we are pushing the people into further trouble under the dictation of international monetary institutions,” he questioned.
He said the rulers had to take measures to curb luxurious live style while using national exchequer otherwise they would face public wrath.
Shahbaz said he had assumed that the chief executive would expose the corrupt elements, but to his utter dismay, his ministers were busy in levelling unfound allegations, thus revealing their real intentions.
He cited the example of sugar crisis and said they had warned the federal govt of the looming threat but instead they (Centre) were now accusing them (provincial govt) of mismanagement.
Shahbaz asked the prime minister to tell the people what actions had been taken for eliminating corruption and whether he was ready to start investigating various scandals.