Bengaluru, 20 July

Basavaraj Bommai, former chief minister of the State and current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, has condemned the state's Commercial Tax Department for what he termed an "unfair imposition" of Goods and Services Tax (GST) dues on small and micro businesses. In a post on social media platform X, Bommai referred to the situation as a "GST shock" for small traders and called for immediate intervention from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

Bommai argued that the actions taken by the Commercial Taxes Department to impose back taxes, along with interest and additional charges, are unreasonable and could drive small roadside businesses to closure. He emphasised the necessity for discussions with representatives of the affected traders and the provision of concessions akin to those available under the tax settlement schemes for other taxpayers.

He highlighted that the stringent measures from the Commercial Tax Department are a reaction to financial difficulties in the state, including a shortfall in tax collection during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Bommai urged the Chief Minister to implement successful strategies used in other states to alleviate the burden on small business owners and ensure their survival amidst ongoing financial constraints.