Dhote said GST appears to be a higher rate of tax because it is a combination of 17 types of taxes, such as VAT, excise, octroi, etc which sometimes used to result in double taxation. He explained how when printing is done with paper supplied by a customer, it is ‘supply of service’ and when printing is done on paper used by printer’s stock, it is ‘supply of goods.’

He said once the prevailing confusion over GST is cleared, business will definitely improve. The government is also going to earn more because since GST is PAN-based, it will not be possible to evade payment of the tax. He advised that printers should not take a negative attitude but should adopt and proceed on a positive note.

Dhote took DPA’s help in distributing printed sheets, containing HSN codes, particulars of items of printing and their GST rates, to all participants and explained each item in detail. He had all the figures on his fingertips and fielded different queries raised by the audience.

As regards to points put forth by a section for amendment in the GST format, Dhote said once AIFMP receives such suggestions from different parts of the country, it will be able to prepare a memorandum and approach the government for necessary amendments.

Mardikar allayed the fears of printers about GST stating that it is all very simple and easy. Previously, tax was manufacturing-based but now it is consumption-based. Since all sorts of taxes have been merged into one, we must adopt and follow the simplified tax.

Saying that the printing fraternity is creative and can meet all types of challenges, he exhorted the printers not to allow work to linger on for the next day, but complete it on day-to-day basis. As far as points of confusion were concerned, he said, the government is already amending the rules almost daily.

GSTO Santosh Kumar explained GST by saying that it is a new concept not only for trade and industry but also for their own department. However, he assured printers of all help from his department stating that the GST department is a ‘friendly department’ and that printers could come and meet GSTOs of their particular ward to get help in case of any confusion on the  applicability of GST.

Giving out his personal mobile number — 8527077845, he offered his services to the printers from 10am to 9pm.

Earlier, DPA president Rajiv Gupta and honourary general secretary Rajesh Sardana welcomed the speakers. The immediate former president of DPA Sunil Jain anchored the event. Senior former president Vijay Mohan took it upon himself the important responsibility of overseeing all arrangements, ensuring that due protocol was maintained.