- 4 months ago
The 56th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting, convened on Wednesday, focused on finalising GST reforms, with new GST rates potentially effective from September 5th to offer consumer relief on daily essentials.
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00:00Good evening, you're watching To The Point. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. We have two big debates lined up for you.
00:07But first up, as usual, allow me to take you through the headlines.
00:14Yamuna River continues to swell. Several areas inundated. Over 10,000 people shifted to relief camps.
00:20Water continuously being released from Hathani Kund Baraj in Haryana.
00:24The land of five rivers, Punjab, becomes the land of devastating floods.
00:34Schools, colleges in Punjab to remain shut till 7th September.
00:37All 23 districts have been declared affected. Over 3,50,000 people have been impacted.
00:4530 fatalities reported till now. The worst floods in four decades.
00:54GST council meet currently underway in New Delhi to discuss GST reform.
01:00Sources say new GST rates to come into effect from September 5th, offering consumers a relief on daily essentials.
01:06Congress vs. Congress Nataka rages on sacked Neta K. and Rajanna loyalists hit out at DK Shivkumar.
01:20Rajanna camp alleges DKS conspired against them.
01:24CAA relief by Modi government persecuted Hindus. Six Christians, Jains and Buddhists who fled to India till 2024 will not be sent back.
01:44Tamil Nadu's deputy CM, Udiyanadi Stalin's big claim on Sanatan Dharm Rao claims his words were twisted, says BJP is a fake news factory.
01:52President Trump faces fire for tariffs on India. Modi, Shri Putin, Bonhomi rattles U.S.
02:03Ex-U.S. officials blame Trump for drift.
02:06Union mantri's big claim on trade deal, Piyush Gowell says trade deal by November.
02:15How can I talk to you?
02:16All right viewers, the 56th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax Council began on Wednesday.
02:28Lots going on. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman in the chair.
02:31Eight opposition ruled states are now demanding revenue protection.
02:35An all-out GST war.
02:3819 days after the Prime Minister's Independence Day promise of a festive season bonanza for India's middle class,
03:03the GST council is meeting to finalise the contours of this windfall.
03:10While consumers are eyeing the goodies that they may soon get,
03:14economists are weighing the festive season boost.
03:17These tax cuts could deliver to the economy.
03:20Now, Business Today TV has learnt that the centre and states may work
03:24to ensure that the benefits of the expected rate cuts are passed on immediately.
03:29This will happen soon.
03:32Now, whether it will happen on 21st of September,
03:35one is also hearing that it could happen midnight on September 5th itself.
03:41That, of course, the council will decide.
03:43But it's very clear that it will happen within the next few days.
03:48In, let's say, next 10 days or so is expected.
03:52And I will not rule out the possibility of it happening from midnight on September 5th as well.
03:59Lower taxes could encourage spending and give the economy a push,
04:04but states worry about their already tight finances.
04:08Many opposition-led states such as West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Punjab,
04:13Telangana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand
04:16have warned that without a clear compensation system,
04:20they will face serious financial stress.
04:22The opposition states have made it very clear that unless they have a path forward
04:29for covering their losses, which are going to be substantial,
04:33if it comes from the Prime Minister, it can't be less than 2 lakh crores, in my judgment.
04:38Nirbhala Sitaraman gave 1 lakh crore of bonanja or give away for the income tax.
04:43Prime Minister can't give you less than that.
04:45So, if there is 2 lakh crore kind of hit coming to the states,
04:50states need to be covered.
04:52Now, how does it play?
04:53I expect this meeting not to be very smooth.
04:57There would be fireworks.
04:59A State Bank of India research report demolishes the belief
05:03that states will lose revenue under the new GST regime.
05:07The report projects states will remain net gainers with GST revenues,
05:12including devolution, estimated at over 14.10 lakh crore rupees this fiscal.
05:18While there may be an immediate dip of 3-4% in month-on-month collections,
05:24revenues are expected to rebound, sustaining 5-6% growth each month.
05:29The new GST regime, officials say, will also broaden the tax base,
05:34simplifying compliance, cutting red tape and encouraging greater voluntary participation.
05:40Bureau Report, Business Today TV.
05:52Because what the GST restructuring has done is exposed federal fault lines
05:59with many states, opposition ruled states, mostly opposing it.
06:03Let's take all these questions and all the apprehensions to our panel this evening.
06:08Joining me is Patabhi Ram Koma Reddy, National Spokesperson, TDP, Sanju Verma,
06:14National Spokesperson, BJP, Dr. Ajwai Kumar, National Spokesperson, Congress,
06:19Jasmine Shah, National Spokesperson, Aam Admi Party.
06:23Sanju Verma, let's begin with you.
06:25All our panelists is going to get a two-minute timer each.
06:28They can put their points forward, hoping no personal attacks.
06:31Everyone sticks to the queue and puts their party's point of view forward.
06:35Sanju Verma, let's begin with you on the GST reform.
06:38The council meet today.
06:40Various labs seem to suggest that, you know, the restructuring in somewhat way,
06:47cheer coming in for the Aam Admi.
06:50But the states have huge reservations on who will absorb the deficit.
06:55You know, Preeti, let me first make one thing very clear.
07:00That the Vijay Kelkar Committee recommended GST way back in 2004.
07:05Between 2004 and 2014, for 10 long years, the Congress Party was in power.
07:10It built flaky castles in the air.
07:12But it was not able to implement GST due to two nagging issues.
07:16One was to decide on the R&R, the revenue neutral rate.
07:20And the second was how to compensate states.
07:23In fact, that time, the Maharashtra Chief Minister was Prithvirat Chawan.
07:27And he was one of the biggest anti-GST naysayers, anti-GST votaries.
07:34So the limited point is that the Modi government,
07:38by bringing to fruition the GST on the 1st of July 2017,
07:42it showed that it has the willpower, the courage of conviction,
07:46to not only have grand ideas, but to ensure that those grand ideas
07:51are made workable with seamless execution on the ground.
07:55That is point number one.
07:56Now, point number two that I want to tell the states,
08:00BJP-ruled or opposition-ruled states,
08:03under the center's divisible pool,
08:0641% of the divisible pool is given to states.
08:11So, for instance, if the center earns 100 rupees,
08:1541 rupees go to various states.
08:18That is one way of giving revenue to states.
08:22The other thing which very few people know is there are three GSTs.
08:25Central GST, state GST, and integrated GST.
08:30Central GST is levied and collected by the center.
08:33State GST is levied and collected by the states.
08:36But integrated GST, 50% of that is shared again with the states.
08:44The third point, very quickly, this your audience will love to hear.
08:48The compensation under GST over the years,
08:51FY19 by the center to states, 81,000 crores.
08:54FY20, 1.65 lakh crores.
08:57FY21, 2.5 lakh crores.
08:59FY22, 3.2 lakh crores.
09:01FY23, 4.1 lakh crores.
09:03FY24, 4.5 lakh crores.
09:06FY25, provisional figure, 5.7 lakh crores.
09:08Okay, ma'am, your time is up, by the way.
09:11Ma'am, the time is up.
09:13I just want to bring in Dr. Rajoy Kumar into this conversation.
09:15Dr. Rajoy Kumar, especially opposition-ruled states,
09:18finance ministers of opposition-ruled states,
09:21when the meeting, which is still going on,
09:23seemingly have echoed loss of revenue for the state,
09:27loss of fiscal autonomy, central overreach.
09:30But having said that, Dr. Rajoy Kumar,
09:33would you not think that states need to absorb
09:36a bit of, even if there is a revenue loss?
09:41Because we keep talking about federalism.
09:43This is the spirit of federalism, isn't it?
09:46So, pretty good question.
09:48First question is,
09:49Sanjooji, the BJP opposed the 115th Amendment,
09:522011 on GST.
09:55So, the BJP opposed it.
09:56It's very rich for them to say that we brought it in 2014.
09:59We brought it in 2011 and they opposed it,
10:00and that's a matter of record.
10:02So, no, what about we?
10:04The second important point is,
10:07why is the center's revenue keeps increasing
10:09and the states keep reducing?
10:11And the center has got something called a CES.
10:13CES, they collected 4 lakh crore plus CES
10:16in this budget this year.
10:18It's 4 lakh crore of CES,
10:19which goes only to them.
10:21So, BJP is saying that 41% is going,
10:24but what they are not telling you is,
10:26out of the 22 lakh crores,
10:28which is GST,
10:29apart from that,
10:30the 4 lakh crore of CES,
10:33agriculture infrastructure CES,
10:36IT surcharge CES,
10:38GST compensation CES,
10:39and export CES.
10:41Only the GST compensation CES
10:43goes to the states.
10:463.53 lakh crores,
10:493.53 lakh crores goes to the center.
10:52That is the first point.
10:53Now, my question is,
10:55if the states are incurring,
10:57if the government of India's expenditure,
10:59this budget is increasing.
11:01By the way, Preeti,
11:01this year's budget is increasing.
11:03So, it is so rich of them saying,
11:05hey, you take the loss,
11:06but I will increase my revenue,
11:08where it is going.
11:09And, they gave 4 lakh crores
11:12to their crony capitalists,
11:14year on year from 2020.
11:16If they had collected that tax,
11:19if they had collected that tax,
11:20we wouldn't have been in this position.
11:22It is the first time in history of India,
11:24where the income tax,
11:26is more than the corporate tax.
11:29Power to them.
11:30So, that is why,
11:31they don't want to,
11:32if they had done,
11:33if they had not given so much of discount,
11:35to their crony friends,
11:36if they were not taxing the middle class,
11:38that money was available to give it to the states.
11:41It is anywhere between 85,000 crores to 2 lakh crores.
11:44And, they give 1 lakh crore,
11:46Preeti,
11:46every year of discount.
11:49Okay.
11:49So, your time is up.
11:50I want to bring in the allies now,
11:51because opposition rule states,
11:53and what's really interesting is,
11:54the one which are with the BJP,
11:58as an ally,
11:59really aren't complaining.
12:01But,
12:02the opposition rule states say,
12:03that those are the states,
12:04which are already,
12:05have very large consumption bases,
12:07so they stand to benefit from the GST.
12:10States like West Bengal,
12:11states like Punjab,
12:12which don't have large consumption bases,
12:14will be the losers in all of this.
12:16Mr. Komar Reddy,
12:17would you want to come in?
12:18A state like yours,
12:19will benefit like,
12:21or possibly a state like Jasmine Shah,
12:23which his party represents Punjab,
12:25is not going to benefit.
12:26Preeti,
12:29good evening to you,
12:29and to my fellow panelists.
12:31Good evening, sir.
12:32See,
12:32the GST rate rationalization,
12:36is not happening for the first time.
12:38It had happened twice,
12:40once in 2018,
12:41and once in 2019 also.
12:44So,
12:44we have faced this scenario,
12:45even before.
12:47So,
12:47what happened past then,
12:49was that,
12:49there was an initial dip,
12:52for about,
12:53you know,
12:53say,
12:543 to 4% in the first few months.
12:56But,
12:56it had rebound,
12:58and it had witnessed a growth rate of 5 to 6%,
13:00the GST tax collections.
13:03So,
13:03these are hard facts,
13:05which are recorded in history.
13:07And,
13:07look at the total GST revenue,
13:09the total GST revenue in 2020-21,
13:12after the GST rate,
13:14were rationalized,
13:15was around 11.37 lakh crore per year.
13:19In 24-25,
13:20now it stands at 22.08 lakh crore,
13:24with an average of 1.84 lakh crore every month.
13:28So,
13:28even after the GST rate rationalization,
13:31we have seen an increase in the GST revenue.
13:34And,
13:34the other thing is,
13:35look at the number of GST registered taxpayers.
13:39In June 2020,
13:41it was only 1.23 crore GST registered taxpayers,
13:46whereas currently,
13:47it stands at 1.51 crore GST registered taxpayers.
13:50So,
13:51more and more people are also coming into the GST tax hold.
13:55Now,
13:55with the rationalization,
13:56once again,
13:57which is going to happen,
13:58we can witness,
13:59you know,
14:00an increase further in the number of GST registered taxpayers,
14:04and thereby,
14:05increase in the GST revenue also.
14:07So,
14:07yes,
14:07see,
14:08as far as the stand taken by the opposition states is concerned,
14:12every state,
14:13it is obvious that they will have some kind of a,
14:16you know,
14:17worry,
14:17whenever GST rates are rationalized.
14:19But,
14:19I assure on behalf of NDA,
14:21that all their concerns will be taken into consideration,
14:25and the Honorable Prime Minister,
14:26and the Honorable Finance Minister will ensure,
14:28that no state will lose,
14:30after this rate rationalization.
14:32Because,
14:32that's the fear.
14:33Certain states like Punjab,
14:35feel that there will be a widening of fiscal imbalance in all of this.
14:38Jasmine Shah,
14:39where a concern that had been put forward,
14:41by the state of Punjab,
14:43that the restructuring could,
14:45possibly disproportionately affect producer or manufacturing states?
14:51Preeti,
14:52first,
14:52let me say,
14:53categorically,
14:54that the Arm Admi Party supports,
14:56any kind of tax reform,
14:58that benefits the common man.
15:00We had been saying,
15:01right from the beginning,
15:02that the way the GST was designed,
15:03and rolled out initially,
15:04was a complete mess.
15:06It hurt a lot of people.
15:07But,
15:08the story now,
15:09of rate rationalization,
15:11is literally,
15:11I would say,
15:12the same kahani repeating,
15:13all over,
15:14which was being parroted in 2017,
15:16when GST was first introduced.
15:18At that time,
15:18of course,
15:19the center agreed to give,
15:20a five-year compensation window,
15:22with the promise that,
15:24look,
15:24we are very gungho,
15:25that you will never need it,
15:26after five years,
15:27because the revenues will grow.
15:29Now,
15:29we know the reality,
15:30that was never true.
15:32States like Punjab,
15:33Preeti,
15:34are losing,
15:34six,
15:35five thousand crores,
15:36every year,
15:37because,
15:38after 2022,
15:39the center has not been paying,
15:41any GST compensation,
15:42and we are losing,
15:43five thousand crores.
15:44Why?
15:44Because,
15:45as you correctly said,
15:46we are not one of the top,
15:47consuming states,
15:48and therefore,
15:48we are losing.
15:49And we have been asking,
15:50the center that,
15:51look,
15:51all these research reports,
15:53are very nice on paper.
15:55The hard reality,
15:55has hit states like Punjab,
15:57and I would say,
15:58more than half of the states,
15:59in India,
15:59are in the similar scenario.
16:00Today,
16:01again,
16:01we are being told,
16:02that look,
16:03everything will be hunky-dory,
16:04consumption will increase,
16:05and you will not,
16:06need any compensation.
16:07If that is really,
16:08center's projection,
16:09let them guarantee,
16:10we welcome anything,
16:11for the common man.
16:12But,
16:13when you talk about,
16:14fiscal federalism,
16:15the center also has,
16:17a fiduciary duty,
16:18towards the states.
16:19You cannot,
16:20throw the states in the gutter,
16:21and say that,
16:22you bear all the losses,
16:23while as the center,
16:25they have unlimited,
16:26financial powers.
16:27They can introduce cesses,
16:28they can take,
16:29as much of a debt,
16:30that they want to,
16:31they can take,
16:32RBI's profits,
16:33they can do whatever,
16:34to cover their losses.
16:35But states have,
16:36no fiscal window available,
16:38if you are going to,
16:39and by the way,
16:40the projection,
16:42of the finance department,
16:43of government of Punjab,
16:44is that,
16:45if as is,
16:46without any compensation,
16:47something like this,
16:48is introduced,
16:49we will lose,
16:5020 to 30 percent,
16:51of our GST revenues,
16:52amounting to 6,000 crores.
16:54We are not talking about,
16:556,000 crores,
16:5530.
16:56Fair point.
16:57Okay,
16:57so the time is up,
16:58but this is the imbalance,
17:00the fiscal imbalance,
17:01where certain states,
17:03are concerned,
17:03that are already in deficit,
17:05Sanju Verma,
17:05which is being spoken of,
17:06Jasmine Shah,
17:07elucidated,
17:08that this,
17:09is against the spirit,
17:11of federalism,
17:12will,
17:13you know,
17:13be the domination,
17:14of the center,
17:15and the center,
17:16once again,
17:16adopting a top-down approach.
17:21I'm not,
17:21getting personal here,
17:23but basic knowledge,
17:24of economics,
17:24is very important,
17:25when you discuss,
17:26a complicated,
17:28tax,
17:29you know,
17:29measure like GST,
17:31I would first,
17:32and foremost,
17:32like to educate the Congress,
17:34and say,
17:34that be it agricultural,
17:36says,
17:36be it education,
17:37says,
17:38be it petroleum,
17:39says,
17:40be it alcohol,
17:41says,
17:41be it stamp duty,
17:42says,
17:43be it land revenue,
17:44says,
17:45a cess,
17:46is always collected,
17:47by the respective,
17:48state government,
17:49and a cess,
17:50is appropriated,
17:52by the state government,
17:53and a cess,
17:54is used,
17:55by the state government,
17:56so when the Congress,
17:57spokesperson,
17:57sits here and says,
17:59agricultural cess,
18:00is appropriated,
18:01by the Modi government,
18:02it shows,
18:03he knows,
18:03nothing about,
18:04basic economics,
18:06the second point,
18:07I want to make,
18:07Jasmine Shah,
18:08was right on one thing,
18:09when he said,
18:10that after 2022,
18:12the compensation,
18:13cess of GST,
18:14stopped,
18:14because it was supposed,
18:15to be meant,
18:16for five years,
18:17from 2017,
18:18to 2022,
18:19but what he does not tell you,
18:21and this is there,
18:21in the finance ministry,
18:22archives,
18:24the states,
18:25had assumed,
18:25that between,
18:262017 and 2022,
18:28there would be paid,
18:29compensation cess,
18:30overall,
18:31to the tune of,
18:32six lakh crore,
18:33and the actual amount,
18:34paid by the Modi government,
18:36in those five years,
18:37was,
18:389.34 lakh crore,
18:403.34 lakh crore,
18:42more,
18:43than what the states,
18:44themselves,
18:45had estimated,
18:46the second point,
18:48the third point,
18:49Bhagwanth Man,
18:50has ruined Punjab,
18:52the economy,
18:53size is,
18:548 lakh crore,
18:55and the debt,
18:56provisional,
18:56is 4.35 lakh crore,
18:59and counting,
19:00which means,
19:01along with,
19:01Tamil Nadu,
19:02Punjab,
19:02is the most,
19:03indebted state,
19:04of India,
19:05with a debt to GSDP,
19:07of more than,
19:0854 percent,
19:09kharcha kare,
19:10Bhagwanth Man,
19:1187 lakh,
19:12is the bill,
19:13of Ardind Kejriwar,
19:15for traveling,
19:16in Punjab,
19:16government's,
19:17official,
19:19flights,
19:20you know,
19:20he's treating,
19:21Punjab government's,
19:22official planes,
19:23like his own,
19:24wagon are,
19:24and you want more,
19:25okay ma'am,
19:27your time is up,
19:28I want to,
19:28okay Dr. Ajay Kumar,
19:29wants to come in,
19:30and then I'll come back,
19:31Dr. Ajay Kumar,
19:32you wanted to come in,
19:33for a quick rebuttal,
19:34you've been,
19:34shaking your head,
19:35ever since Sanju,
19:36Varma started,
19:36with her submissions,
19:37go ahead sir,
19:38I will come to you,
19:39Jasmine Shah,
19:40let's just go full sir,
19:40no no,
19:41for the nonsense,
19:42she's pooing,
19:43the central government,
19:44says is what I said,
19:45it doesn't go to the states,
19:47no please Sanju,
19:48I'm ready to take a bet,
19:49on this for a lakh or so,
19:51the other issue is,
19:52look at the shamelessness,
19:53only for a lakh by the way,
19:54Dr. Kumar,
19:56no the central,
19:57it's all over the place,
19:58the central government,
19:59I'm just,
20:00sir I'm kidding,
20:01but just make your point sir,
20:02we've held your clock,
20:03go ahead,
20:03with an honest anchor,
20:05we can reduce it,
20:06but the issue is,
20:07the important part,
20:08and I'll just make it quick,
20:09the important part is,
20:11the CES can be collected,
20:12only by the government of India,
20:14the states have no right,
20:15to collect,
20:16these kinds of CES,
20:18income tax CES,
20:18GST CES,
20:19but the important part is,
20:21all these CES,
20:22collected by government of India,
20:23this CES,
20:24GST CES,
20:25which comes to around 2 lakh crore,
20:28has not been deposited,
20:30and the controller,
20:31and accountant general of India,
20:32has highlighted this,
20:34so this government,
20:35is so shameless,
20:36that first of all,
20:36they take the CES,
20:37in the name of GST,
20:38to pass on to the state,
20:40then,
20:40let me complete,
20:41madam,
20:41you can counteract me,
20:42and the second part,
20:43is they don't give it,
20:44the most important part,
20:46they are saying on debt,
20:48the government of India,
20:49has got 1,75 lakh crore debt also,
20:52are they managing it well,
20:54issue is not,
20:55the rationalization of GST,
20:57we are supporting it,
20:59but if the states,
21:00are losing income,
21:01and you are increasing your income,
21:03and I would like,
21:04like the TDP gentleman,
21:05I appreciate it,
21:06please ensure,
21:07that you don't,
21:08there is no losses,
21:09if there is no losses,
21:10then we will be supporting you,
21:12we are asking not,
21:13we are not,
21:15fighting against,
21:16rationalization,
21:16we are fighting against,
21:19reduction in revenue,
21:20and the central government,
21:22increases its revenue,
21:23we want,
21:23and that I want the TDP,
21:24to guarantee,
21:25and they have,
21:26nobody,
21:26neither,
21:27I don't think,
21:27Jasmine or me,
21:28or anyone,
21:29anyone is against,
21:30rationalization of GST,
21:32but to say that,
21:33it will not be a loss of income,
21:35sir you are wrong,
21:36because there was a loss of income,
21:38and that's why you compensated,
21:39and they continue.
21:41All right sir,
21:42time is up,
21:43I want to bring in,
21:43the TDP counterpart,
21:44Mr. Komar Reddy,
21:45Mr. Komar Reddy,
21:46there is a point,
21:47that Dr. Kumar,
21:48Dr. Joy is making,
21:50and you know,
21:51let's hark back,
21:52the argument is clearly,
21:54that there should be an attempt,
21:56somewhere down the line,
21:57to preserve fiscal autonomy,
21:58especially of states that are in deficit,
22:00states surrendered key tax powers,
22:03to adopt GST,
22:05further restructuring,
22:06will only end up,
22:09you know,
22:10harming them more,
22:11is what,
22:11at least,
22:12the layman argument,
22:13of opposition rule states is,
22:15is,
22:15Preeti,
22:17as I have mentioned,
22:18in my opening statement,
22:21see the point to be noted is,
22:23with the current GST rate,
22:25racialization,
22:26what will happen,
22:28it will,
22:28you know,
22:29simplify the tax returns,
22:31it will reduce complaints,
22:32burdens,
22:33and it also,
22:34you know,
22:34enhances voluntary complaints,
22:36so all,
22:37there are so many benefits,
22:38because,
22:38right now,
22:39we are only going to have,
22:415 and 18 percent,
22:42and a few items at 40,
22:44instead of 4,
22:44we are going to have 2,
22:46it will simplify a lot of things,
22:47it will improve voluntary,
22:49you know,
22:50tax complaints,
22:51and thereby,
22:52as we have seen in the past,
22:54when rate racialization happened,
22:56the GST revenues,
22:58will increase,
22:59over a period of time,
23:00so,
23:00the states,
23:01the opposition states,
23:02I would like to appeal to them,
23:03that they need not worry,
23:05too much about this,
23:06the center had always,
23:08tried to ensure,
23:09you know,
23:10that the states get their,
23:11rightful share of the tax revenue,
23:14and,
23:14the honorable prime minister,
23:16truly believes in the,
23:18federal spirit,
23:19so,
23:20I,
23:21on behalf of the delegation party,
23:23we are very confident,
23:24you know,
23:24that the,
23:25present rate racialization,
23:27will not,
23:28in any way,
23:29affect the states,
23:30in the long run,
23:31yes,
23:31initially,
23:32there might be a,
23:33short dip,
23:34but,
23:34as we have seen in the past,
23:36it is bound to rebound,
23:38and the states are going to benefit,
23:40because it is simplifying,
23:41a lot of things,
23:42it is reducing the tax burden,
23:44on the consumers,
23:45lot of items,
23:45are going to get cheaper,
23:47you know,
23:47the,
23:48there will be a,
23:48push in the,
23:50sales of lot of items,
23:51and,
23:51and voluntary compliance,
23:52also will increase,
23:54as I have,
23:54shown the figures,
23:56between 2020 and 25,
23:58we have seen an increase,
23:59of more than 30 lakh,
24:00registered GST taxpayers,
24:02with so many new,
24:03taxpayers coming into the,
24:04GST fold,
24:05what will happen,
24:06the GST revenue,
24:07also will automatically,
24:08increase,
24:09the same way,
24:10after this rate,
24:11registration,
24:12I am very confident,
24:13that you know,
24:14we will again,
24:14say an increase,
24:15in the GST,
24:16registered taxpayers,
24:17and also an increase,
24:18in the overall,
24:18GST revenue,
24:19thereby,
24:20Sir time is up,
24:22Jasmine Shah,
24:22to bring you in,
24:23with what,
24:23your TDP counterpart,
24:25seems to suggest,
24:26and it's temporary,
24:27there might be,
24:28short term revenue shocks,
24:29but,
24:30in time,
24:30it will stabilize,
24:31and only benefit,
24:32your government,
24:32so we are very happy,
24:35we are saying,
24:36why don't,
24:36if you really believe,
24:37what you say,
24:38and if I hope,
24:39the BJP also believes,
24:40what the gentleman,
24:41from TDP says,
24:42then codify it,
24:43put it very clearly,
24:44down that,
24:45this will be introduced,
24:46only with a guarantee,
24:48of revenues,
24:50for the next,
24:51XYZ years,
24:52and it should be,
24:52a longer period,
24:53and if that guarantee,
24:54is not fulfilled,
24:55like I said,
24:55that in the,
24:56with the main GST introduction,
24:57states like Punjab,
24:58are seeing a loss,
24:59of 5000 crores every year,
25:00so if that guarantee,
25:01is not fulfilled,
25:02then you,
25:02go back,
25:03and you extend,
25:04the compensation,
25:05see we have to,
25:06understand one thing,
25:07Preeti,
25:08it is the states,
25:09that actually run,
25:10the country,
25:11this notion,
25:12that government,
25:13sitting at the center,
25:14is running,
25:14each and every corner,
25:15of the country,
25:15that's not right,
25:16who pay for the government,
25:17school teachers,
25:17the state pay,
25:18who pay for the,
25:19Anganwadi worker,
25:20who pay for the,
25:21health worker,
25:22kone kone,
25:22me,
25:23desh ke kone kone,
25:24me,
25:24state government,
25:24kam karete he,
25:25we are the people,
25:26today Punjab,
25:27is under distress,
25:28floods,
25:29that we have not seen,
25:30in four decades,
25:30are happening,
25:31who is working on,
25:32disaster relief and management,
25:33the state government,
25:34together with the army,
25:35and everyone,
25:36so let us not,
25:37short change the states,
25:38let us not be,
25:39fiscally blind,
25:40let us not be,
25:41fiscally irresponsible,
25:43take states along with you,
25:44you cannot have a strong India,
25:45but just having a strong center,
25:47strong center,
25:48and strong state,
25:49and I am not going,
25:50down the path,
25:50what Sanju Verma said,
25:52you know,
25:52she has,
25:53left,
25:54no decency left,
25:55she started by saying,
25:56I am not going to make,
25:57personal attacks,
25:58and that's exactly,
25:58what she did,
25:59and I am,
26:00I am challenging her,
26:01with a simple question,
26:01if you are so sure,
26:03that this rate rationalization,
26:04will increase demand,
26:05which I hope,
26:06and which I pray,
26:07it will,
26:08then why not,
26:08just guarantee the states,
26:10that we will protect,
26:10your revenues,
26:11if it goes below,
26:12then we will pay for it,
26:13she will not say that,
26:14because she knows,
26:15that,
26:15and they have the revenues,
26:19to take from RBI,
26:20they can take extra loans,
26:22like they have,
26:22we have today,
26:23record loans,
26:24that the country has never seen,
26:25they can take loans,
26:26to give money,
26:27to their crony friends,
26:28just like Dr. Rajoy said,
26:2915 lakh crore,
26:30loan,
26:31they have marked,
26:31but why will you not,
26:32give even 5000,
26:33or 6000 crores,
26:34to states,
26:35okay,
26:35Jasmine Shah time's up,
26:36okay I am going to give,
26:37final comments,
26:37two minutes each,
26:38to all our participants,
26:41center versus states,
26:42or rather center,
26:43versus opposition states,
26:44here we go,
26:45over GST,
26:46Sanju Verma,
26:47your two minutes start now ma'am,
26:50you know first and foremost,
26:52I completely debunk,
26:53Ajay Kumar,
26:54the congress spokesperson,
26:55spill the language against me,
26:56you sir Sanju Verma,
26:57spewing nonsense,
26:58you are the same spokesperson,
27:00who said,
27:01Draupati Murmu,
27:02represents the evil philosophy,
27:03of the RSS and BJP,
27:05you should be ashamed,
27:06of yourself,
27:07don't give lectures,
27:07on ethics to Sanju Verma,
27:09because Ajay Kumar,
27:10you are not fit,
27:11to be on national television,
27:12now let me say,
27:13one thing very clearly,
27:14and this is the mood point,
27:16under congress,
27:17only 30% of the,
27:19central divisible pool,
27:21was distributed,
27:22by way of taxes,
27:23to states,
27:24under the Modi government,
27:25that has seen a 37% jump,
27:28today 41% of central divisible pool,
27:31is distributed to states,
27:33I repeat,
27:34apart from 5%,
27:35compensation cess,
27:36pardon me,
27:37apart from compensation cess,
27:40apart from money,
27:41via central divisible pool,
27:43there is something,
27:44called the RBG,
27:46revenue deficit grant,
27:47of more than 10,000 crore,
27:50which is paid,
27:51every month,
27:52to different states,
27:53based on their needs,
27:54and I would like,
27:55to tell Jasmine Shah,
27:57that the biggest,
27:58beneficiaries,
27:59of the RBI's,
28:00ways and means advances,
28:01called the WMA facility,
28:03is not the centre,
28:05it is states,
28:06states like Punjab,
28:08which have been brought,
28:09to bankruptcy,
28:10thanks to the,
28:10failed Kejriwal model,
28:12thanks to Bhagawan,
28:13who was laughing,
28:14along with NK Stalin,
28:15at a function,
28:16in Tamil Nadu,
28:17when Punjab,
28:19was being drowned,
28:20under heavy floods,
28:21let's not forget,
28:23that today,
28:23the khata khat model,
28:24of Congress,
28:25has ruined Karnataka,
28:26which has a debt,
28:27of more than 7 lakh crore,
28:29the khata khat model,
28:30of Congress,
28:31has ruined,
28:31Himachal Pradesh,
28:32which is borrowing,
28:3340,000 crore,
28:34from RBI,
28:35every quarter,
28:36to simply stay afloat,
28:38and Jasmine Shah,
28:38you said Sanju Verma,
28:40does not have,
28:40decency in debates,
28:41let me tell you,
28:42Jasmine Shah,
28:43that you are,
28:44the same party,
28:45whose leader,
28:46Kejriwal,
28:47said,
28:47Modi is a coward,
28:48and a psychopath,
28:49so please shut up,
28:50okay,
28:50time is up,
28:52you know,
28:52faders go down,
28:53automatically,
28:54alright,
28:54I am going to,
28:55cut across to Dr. Rajoy Kumar,
28:56once again,
28:57a reminder,
28:57two minutes time,
28:58use it to attack,
28:59your panelist,
28:59or put your party's,
29:00point of view forward,
29:01Dr. Kumar go ahead sir,
29:02I would like to,
29:03I would like to,
29:05I would like to,
29:06serve her a notice,
29:07because she keeps,
29:08lying on Draupadi Murmur,
29:09so she already,
29:10got a notice,
29:10from one spokesperson,
29:11she will get the second,
29:12and she will have to,
29:12apologize like the way,
29:13she did in Supreme Court,
29:15the most,
29:16and the conversation,
29:17is most uncooked,
29:18but let's imagine,
29:18I refuse to speak,
29:19to a person like that,
29:20and Jasmine was correct,
29:21question is,
29:22she lied on cess,
29:24that budget,
29:26central government budget,
29:27says 4 lakh crores,
29:28is collected on,
29:29central government cess,
29:30and she came on TV,
29:31and lied,
29:32first point,
29:33so let her first,
29:33apologize for lying,
29:34and saying that,
29:35we don't know economics,
29:36second,
29:37the most important thing is,
29:39that the government of India,
29:40has got 175 lakh crore debt,
29:42Modi is getting,
29:43badly banned scheme,
29:45nothing to be spoken,
29:47that they don't have money,
29:47in Maharashtra,
29:48but you think you're a great,
29:49khatta cut khatta cut,
29:50kind of statements they made,
29:52important part is,
29:53crony capitalists,
29:54got 16 lakh crore,
29:56loan mafee,
29:57every year,
29:5890,000 crores,
29:59of corporate tax,
30:00has been reduced,
30:02and then you want to deny,
30:03Jharkhand 2,000 crores,
30:04Punjab 7,000 crores,
30:06look at the shamelessness,
30:07of this whole guys,
30:09so my question to you,
30:10Preeti is,
30:10if you look at them,
30:12and,
30:12she said,
30:13I'm saying,
30:14that the government of India,
30:15has not transferred,
30:16the central GST,
30:18cess,
30:19and this is a CAG report,
30:21but they will not accept it,
30:23the TDP spokesperson,
30:24has at least got grace,
30:26and I accept,
30:27that what he says,
30:27that we will try,
30:28to work towards it,
30:29but the Bhartia Janta party,
30:31who is supposed to drive this,
30:32look at the kind of language,
30:34the spokesperson uses,
30:35against other panelists,
30:36always lying,
30:37no Preeti,
30:37I want to bring it on,
30:38and I promise you,
30:40that she'll get the second notice,
30:41for continuously talking,
30:43spewing venom,
30:44I take great ambrage,
30:45on her commenting,
30:46on Jasmin,
30:47or anybody else also,
30:48we are panelists,
30:49you please show us,
30:50with dignity,
30:50no Sanju Verma,
30:51you will speak to us,
30:52with dignity,
30:53like the way we speak to you,
30:54we refuse to take your nonsense,
30:55on TV,
30:56the most important,
30:57learn from the TDP spokesperson,
30:59the important part is,
31:00you have been,
31:01exposed across India,
31:03not knowing,
31:04Sir,
31:04Sir,
31:05time is out,
31:06like I said,
31:06once again,
31:07use this time,
31:08to attack each other,
31:09or use it,
31:10to put your party's,
31:11point of view forward,
31:12I want to cut across,
31:13to the TDP spokesperson,
31:14Mr Kumar Reddy sir,
31:15your two,
31:16final two minutes,
31:17start now,
31:18see Preeti,
31:19I would like to,
31:21just remind to all the viewers,
31:23that the,
31:24introduction of GST,
31:26witnessed a rare,
31:27political consensus,
31:28in the country,
31:30true,
31:30when the,
31:31then finance minister,
31:33Arun Jaitley,
31:34stood up in parliament,
31:36introducing the GST,
31:38bill,
31:40we have witnessed,
31:41you know,
31:43Manmohan Singh ji,
31:44you know,
31:45and others,
31:46standing up,
31:46and you know,
31:47clapping for it,
31:48so,
31:49that is how,
31:50the entire story,
31:51had started,
31:51it was,
31:52it started with,
31:53a rare political consensus,
31:55and everyone was aboard,
31:56and after that also,
31:58the Honourable Prime Minister,
31:59always tried,
32:00to continue,
32:01that tradition,
32:03you see the formation,
32:04of the GST council,
32:06GST council,
32:07has a representation,
32:08from every state,
32:09here the,
32:10central government,
32:11is not taking,
32:12unilateral decisions,
32:13a platform,
32:14was created,
32:15where each and every state,
32:17was given an opportunity,
32:19to express their concerns,
32:20a platform,
32:21was created,
32:22to discuss and debate,
32:24so that itself,
32:25shows the commitment,
32:26of the India government,
32:27to,
32:28you know,
32:28take everyone on board,
32:30so,
32:30we will continue,
32:31that tradition,
32:32even now,
32:33even now,
32:35there is an opportunity,
32:36we are debating,
32:37we are not,
32:37you know,
32:37fighting with each other,
32:38yes,
32:39the opposition states,
32:40have raised certain concerns,
32:41if my finance minister,
32:43and the honourable prime minister,
32:44will definitely,
32:45try to address them,
32:46in the GST council,
32:47and we will take,
32:48a unanimous decision,
32:50with that,
32:51with the true federal spirit,
32:53as we have been doing,
32:54from the day,
32:55it was introduced,
32:56that is what,
32:57I want to convey,
32:57and we are,
32:58we on behalf of TDP,
33:00we are very confident,
33:02on the leadership,
33:03of the honourable prime minister,
33:05that he will definitely,
33:06continue this tradition,
33:07and will take everyone,
33:08on board,
33:09before taking,
33:10any kind of decision,
33:10as far as,
33:11GST reforms are concerned,
33:14Alright,
33:14Jasmine Shah,
33:16do come in,
33:17you have Harpal Chima,
33:18finance minister,
33:19Punjab,
33:20who is in that,
33:20GST council meeting,
33:21as we speak,
33:22put your points forward,
33:23it's an inclusive process,
33:26Ultimately,
33:28we have to understand,
33:29that the entire idea,
33:30or the promise of GST,
33:32lied in,
33:33federal,
33:34mutual gain,
33:37and mutual accommodation,
33:38you know,
33:38and it cannot happen,
33:40if there is,
33:40a trust deficit,
33:42or trust gap,
33:42centre can be saying,
33:43something,
33:44but it cannot mean,
33:44something else,
33:46and if Sanju Verma's,
33:47behaviour on this show,
33:48is anything to go by,
33:49it will raise questions,
33:50I would say,
33:51in every person,
33:52that you know,
33:52BJP is out here,
33:53only to bad mouth,
33:54opposition states,
33:55rather than say that,
33:56look,
33:56let's work together,
33:57and let's give relief to the common man,
33:59but we'll ensure,
34:00ensure that school teachers' salaries are paid,
34:02the Anganwadi workers' salaries are paid on time,
34:05your behaviour,
34:05Sanju Verma,
34:06on this show,
34:06does not inspire any confidence,
34:09that BJP is out here,
34:10to set things right,
34:11rather than,
34:12you know,
34:13to really harm the opposition states,
34:15and what additionally,
34:16Preeti,
34:17worries me,
34:17is that,
34:18you know,
34:19the behaviour of the centre,
34:20towards states,
34:21as far as fiscal issues is concerned,
34:23is something really worrying,
34:25Dr. Rajoy talked about the fact,
34:27that GST compensation,
34:28was never paid to the states,
34:30as per the original schedule,
34:31there were delays,
34:32but centre has at least,
34:33tried to fulfil it,
34:34but there have been delays,
34:35but as far as Punjab is concerned,
34:37let me point out,
34:37a historic injustice,
34:39that has happened,
34:40rural development fund,
34:42RDF dues,
34:43amounting to,
34:448,000 crores have been due,
34:46from the centre,
34:47for the past three years,
34:48it would have been paid,
34:49if an armed army party government,
34:50was not in power,
34:51but when the armed army party,
34:53won the centre,
34:53just stopped paying the dues,
34:55multiple letters,
34:56multiple representations,
34:57have been given,
34:58by the chief minister,
34:58Bhagavan Dhamman,
34:59to prime minister Modi,
35:00and the home minister,
35:02but the dues remain unpaid,
35:03so in this kind of an environment,
35:05how do you hope,
35:06to carry states along,
35:07why should we trust you,
35:08why should we believe you,
35:09show us the language,
35:10assure us that,
35:11no harm will come to states,
35:12and then we are happy,
35:13to work along with the states,
35:14centre,
35:15on not just this,
35:15but any other,
35:17tax reform,
35:17that benefits the common man,
35:19I have said that earlier,
35:20I have said that again,
35:21but we will not get fooled,
35:22by Sanju Verma's,
35:23of the world.
35:24All right,
35:32let's quickly cut into news break,
35:34that's coming in,
35:35and disconcerting news,
35:36from the state of Punjab,
35:37the fatalities,
35:38where the floods,
35:39are concerned,
35:40in Punjab,
35:41has unfortunately risen,
35:42the flood situation,
35:43is worsening,
35:45death toll,
35:45has now reached 37,
35:47over 3 and a half lakh,
35:48have been impacted,
35:49of what we've been,
35:50given to understand,
35:51over 1650,
35:52villages,
35:53across 23 districts,
35:55stand affected,
35:5620,000 people,
35:58till now,
35:58have been evacuated,
36:0030 to 35 helicopters,
36:02have been deployed,
36:03for rescue operations,
36:0530 NDRF teams,
36:06BSF Army Navy,
36:07all on ground,
36:08but viewers,
36:09the situation,
36:09doesn't look good,
36:11the grips,
36:12of the worst flood,
36:13in four decades,
36:14at least 40 years,
36:16is only tightening,
36:18on the state of Punjab,
36:20I want to cut across,
36:21to my colleague,
36:22Aman Bhardwaj,
36:23who is joining us,
36:24with the latest,
36:24for more Aman,
36:25with more Kinwag.
36:32See,
36:33we can say,
36:34the whole Punjab,
36:35is impacted now,
36:36and for next,
36:3724 hours,
36:38the time is very crucial,
36:39because,
36:40water from,
36:41Bhakra Dam,
36:42Ranjit Sagar Dam,
36:44and,
36:45very,
36:46very,
36:46very,
36:46that are,
36:47that are in a way,
36:48touching to the border,
36:50along these rivers,
36:51Ravi,
36:52Beas,
36:52and Sutluch,
36:53the water will be increased,
36:55and at Bhakra itself,
36:56eight feet,
36:57flood,
36:58flood gates,
36:59are being opened,
37:00and,
37:01water is being released,
37:03in,
37:03lakhs,
37:04cusick,
37:05so,
37:06here at,
37:06Harike,
37:08Barrage itself,
37:10three lakh,
37:11cusick water,
37:11is being released,
37:12and for next,
37:1324 hours,
37:14this will impact,
37:15in,
37:15major border districts,
37:17whether it's,
37:18Firozpur,
37:18Tarantaran,
37:19Amritsar,
37:19Gurdaspur,
37:20so,
37:21there the water level,
37:22will be increasing,
37:22and also now,
37:24first it was,
37:25Majha region,
37:26but now,
37:26along with,
37:27Dwaba,
37:28it has,
37:29the water level,
37:30has been impacting,
37:31the flood,
37:31has been,
37:32showing its impact,
37:33on the,
37:34on the districts,
37:35which are,
37:36Rupanagar,
37:37area like,
37:37Sri Anandpur,
37:38Saheb,
37:38Nangal,
37:39Mohali,
37:40and,
37:41Malwa region,
37:42Sangroor,
37:42Bhatinda,
37:43so,
37:44there also,
37:44where in,
37:45last week,
37:46if we say,
37:47last 10 days,
37:48the flood impact,
37:49was less,
37:49so now,
37:50the water is being,
37:52the flood is showing,
37:53its impact,
37:54and now,
37:54the data,
37:55you also mentioned,
37:56that,
37:561 lakh,
37:5770,000 hectares,
38:00farming land,
38:01agrarian land,
38:02of Punjab,
38:02is being impacted,
38:04and,
38:043 and a half lakh,
38:06people are being impacted,
38:0720,000 people are,
38:09being evacuated,
38:10and,
38:11190,
38:127,
38:13relief camps,
38:14are being established,
38:15so,
38:15in coming days,
38:16and,
38:17this will show,
38:18more impact,
38:18and,
38:19you see,
38:19out of,
38:2013,000 villages,
38:21in Punjab,
38:221,700 villages,
38:24are affected,
38:26and,
38:26these villages,
38:26are on borderline,
38:28if,
38:28army,
38:29NDRF,
38:29and BSF,
38:30has to go,
38:31in a coordination,
38:32for the rescue,
38:34so,
38:34you can see,
38:34the impact,
38:35flood had shown,
38:36and,
38:36in coming days,
38:37the water,
38:38level will be increasing,
38:39so,
38:39it's more challenging,
38:40for the rescue teams,
38:41as well,
38:41for the administration,
38:43as well,
38:43because people,
38:44in rural areas,
38:46for the evacuation,
38:47for the relief,
38:47is very challenging,
38:49to rescue them,
38:50to communicate,
38:51with them,
38:51that,
38:52how,
38:52they are going,
38:53to deal with,
38:54for the flood situation,
38:56so,
38:57it's for,
38:58it's challenging,
38:59for the people,
38:59and people have stories,
39:01in Ferozpur,
39:02where we are,
39:03people have seen,
39:041988 flood,
39:06and,
39:07its impact,
39:08is that,
39:08their eyesides,
39:10are gone,
39:11their,
39:11their homes,
39:12are gone,
39:13villages,
39:13were vacated,
39:15so,
39:15now,
39:16also,
39:16in 2025,
39:17they are seeing,
39:17the same impact,
39:18and here,
39:19also,
39:20along,
39:20Satluj,
39:21at,
39:22at various places,
39:23the breach,
39:23has been created,
39:24in the villages,
39:25the,
39:26the breaches,
39:30which were,
39:32along the,
39:33rivers of Satluj,
39:34and Ravi,
39:35and Bayas,
39:36which were,
39:37constructed,
39:38on the solid basis,
39:39they are,
39:40all of that,
39:40has been breached,
39:42because,
39:42lives,
39:43livestock,
39:44livelihood,
39:45wiped out,
39:46Punjab,
39:46is practically,
39:47witnessing,
39:48the worst floods,
39:48at least,
39:49in the last 40 years,
39:50if not more,
39:52and the situation,
39:53as my colleague,
39:53Amman is pointing out,
39:54it is only,
39:55but intensifying,
39:56tragic scenes,
39:56coming in from Punjab,
39:58we are going to,
39:58continue to report,
39:59and get you the latest,
40:01but things right now,
40:02don't look good,
40:03as,
40:04Amman just pointed out,
40:05the Bhakranangal Dam,
40:06would be releasing,
40:07more water,
40:07which will only add,
40:09to the woes,
40:10of the low lying areas,
40:11of Punjab,
40:12already,
40:12the Ravi,
40:13the Satluj,
40:14and the Bayas,
40:15coming in from the,
40:17hill areas,
40:17of Himachal,
40:18draining in,
40:19to the Punjab basin,
40:20is adding,
40:22more misery,
40:23to an already,
40:24inundated,
40:26Punjab,
40:27I want to shift,
40:28focus right now,
40:28from the state of Punjab,
40:30to the city of Gurdwam,
40:32the millennium city,
40:33the real estate,
40:34gold mine,
40:35and the corporate capital,
40:36of Haryana,
40:37but come monsoon,
40:38all that,
40:39completely washes away,
40:41quite literally,
40:42on Monday,
40:42the city,
40:43once again,
40:43found itself,
40:44knee deep in water,
40:45and the woes continue,
40:47till,
40:48this afternoon,
40:49long ago,
40:52Delhi NCR,
40:53had not one,
40:54but two rivers,
40:55flowing through it,
40:57one,
40:57of course,
40:58the mighty Yamuna,
40:59and the other one,
41:00the Sahibi river,
41:01is now,
41:02ecologically dead,
41:03because,
41:04it has turned,
41:05into a Nala,
41:06that is called,
41:07Nazavgarh Nala,
41:08in Delhi region,
41:10and as you see,
41:11the black,
41:12waters,
41:13that are flowing,
41:14into this,
41:15so called,
41:16Nala at the moment,
41:18is an outlet,
41:19for natural drainage,
41:20from Gurugram,
41:22little bit of rain,
41:23in Gurugram,
41:25that leads to,
41:25massive flooding,
41:27is also,
41:28the result,
41:29of this river's,
41:30ecological death,
41:32because this was,
41:33a natural drain,
41:34once upon a time,
41:35the waters,
41:37in the region,
41:37of Gurugram,
41:38used to populate,
41:39down into the ground,
41:41also recharging,
41:43the aquifers there,
41:44but today,
41:45that's not possible,
41:46because,
41:47this particular,
41:48river is dead,
41:49and has turned,
41:50into a Nala,
41:50due to lack,
41:51of sewage treatment,
41:53plants,
41:53which are,
41:54polluting the river,
41:56and also,
41:57making it,
41:58impossible,
41:59for the water,
41:59to naturally,
42:00drain from Gurugram,
42:01and come towards,
42:02this particular,
42:04water body.
42:09Gurugram,
42:10needs no introduction,
42:12but we still,
42:13give it one.
42:14Rains wash out,
42:17the complete facade,
42:18that Gurugram,
42:19is on development,
42:21and as you can see,
42:23even though,
42:23with little bit of rains,
42:25this is a condition,
42:26of roads,
42:27in the millennial city,
42:29which doesn't,
42:30spare anyone,
42:31the biggest of the cars,
42:33have to go through,
42:34such apathy,
42:36to cross,
42:37a road,
42:38not very far,
42:39from the poshest areas,
42:41of Gurugram.
42:45The millennium city,
42:47is where,
42:47every time it rains,
42:49streets,
42:50resemble rivers,
42:51or drains,
42:52depending on,
42:53which area,
42:54you happen to be in.
42:55where you will see,
42:59widening income inequality,
43:01but also see it,
43:02levelling out,
43:03when it rains.
43:07Billionaire or not,
43:09no one can escape,
43:11waterlogging here.
43:13First two days,
43:14of the week,
43:15were worse.
43:16A splash of rain,
43:17and Gurugram,
43:18came to a standstill.
43:23Thousands of commuters,
43:24in India's,
43:25wealthiest suburbs,
43:27were stuck on roads,
43:28for six to eight hours,
43:30due to rain triggered,
43:31traffic gridlock,
43:32on Monday,
43:331st September.
43:38This was a common sight,
43:40on Monday,
43:41people rolling up trousers,
43:42and walking,
43:43in knee deep water.
43:45The millennium city,
43:46is where long traffic,
43:47jams,
43:48like the one,
43:48seen Monday night,
43:50though distressing,
43:51are never surprising.
43:56The administration,
43:58as expected,
43:58got down to the business,
44:00after Monday's,
44:01heavy downpour.
44:02They advised,
44:03the corporates,
44:04to keep workers at home,
44:06on Tuesday,
44:06if possible.
44:08They advised,
44:09schools to keep children at home,
44:11for online classes.
44:13What you see,
44:14is that knee deep water,
44:16and we have also seen,
44:18the drainage system,
44:19collapsing to the extent,
44:21that water,
44:21was actually outflowing,
44:23from the drainage,
44:24which is supposed,
44:25to take out,
44:26drain out,
44:27the water,
44:27from these roads.
44:28On the right hand side,
44:29is the bus stand road,
44:31which is again,
44:32in knee deep water.
44:33The local MLA,
44:34Mukesh Sharma's office,
44:36is in fact,
44:36located on that particular lane,
44:38itself,
44:39and that is also,
44:40inundated.
44:41It's a very bad,
44:41but the police,
44:43is doing a lot of good work,
44:44the police,
44:45is doing a lot of good work,
44:46I have seen,
44:47that the people are standing,
44:48in the rain,
44:49and in the rain,
44:51and the government department,
44:52and many departments,
44:54are doing a lot of good work.
44:54My office is in my office,
44:56yesterday,
44:57it was about 4 hours,
44:58from there,
44:59when I got out of 5.00,
45:00so today,
45:01we thought,
45:01we're going fast,
45:03fast,
45:03but the auto,
45:05is still here,
45:06and now,
45:07I'm thinking,
45:07why does Gurugram get flooded?
45:12Experts say,
45:13unplanned urban growth,
45:15is the primary factor.
45:17Rapid urbanization,
45:18has turned farmland,
45:19and natural drainage areas,
45:21into concrete buildings.
45:23Natural water channels,
45:24like Najafgar drain,
45:26Ghatajil,
45:27Barshaapur drain,
45:28that once carried,
45:30excess rain water,
45:31have been encroached upon,
45:33or have narrowed.
45:35Gurugram lacks,
45:35an integrated,
45:36stormwater drain,
45:37drainage system.
45:39The city,
45:39mostly relies,
45:40on surface drains,
45:42which get clogged,
45:42with plastic,
45:44silt,
45:44and construction debris.
45:47Many drains,
45:48are interconnected,
45:49with sewage lines,
45:51during heavy rains,
45:52both overflow.
45:54Add to all of this,
45:55the lack of coordination,
45:56between multiple authorities,
45:58like Huda,
45:59Municipal Corporation,
46:01NHAI,
46:02and private developers,
46:04the recipe for chaos,
46:06is complete.
46:06Every year,
46:11real estate records,
46:13are broken,
46:14in Gurugram.
46:15Just a few months ago,
46:16a penthouse in the city,
46:17was sold for 190 crore rupees.
46:20The deal made,
46:21newspaper headlines.
46:23The city,
46:24which is home to billionaires,
46:26IT companies,
46:27and auto firms,
46:28accounts for over 60% income tax,
46:31generated from the state.
46:32But all that money,
46:34seems just not enough,
46:36to get the city,
46:37proper drainage.
46:39With Milan Sharma,
46:40and Amit Bharadwaj,
46:41Bureau Report,
46:42India Today.
46:43Because if you live in Delhi,
46:48or the NCR region,
46:49you'd know,
46:49exactly what those images mean.
46:52All of you,
46:52somewhere down the line,
46:53would have known somebody,
46:55just two days ago,
46:55on Monday evening,
46:57that was stuck,
46:58in this very traffic jam.
47:00I had a friend,
47:00who was stuck,
47:01for about four and a half hours,
47:02in that traffic jam.
47:03Where nothing moved,
47:04Gurgaon just stood still,
47:06while it pelted rain.
47:08With that,
47:09it's a quick break,
47:10tomorrow we are of course,
47:11going to focus more,
47:12on Gurgaon,
47:13and the state of Punjab,
47:15Delhi also now,
47:16teetering on the edge of a flood.
47:17All of that,
47:18coming up tomorrow as well.
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