A little over two months since the long-delayed Goods and Services Tax (GST) came into effect, private companies are cashing in on the confusion among businesspersons over registration and other processes.
Despite the government claiming to have set up outreach programmes to raise awareness about ease of access and registration, private consultants are offering packages to businesses for no less than ₹2,000. In some case, whole new entities have been set up exclusively to cater to the needs of the GST regime.
“We have different packages for different requirements. If a client requires only registration and has a digital signature certificate (DSC), they can opt for the basic package which is ₹2,500. If they do not have a DSC, they will have to go for an advanced package, which will cost more,” said a consultant from a company that has added GST to its list of services.
But why do people have to use their services? “We will be able to help with all the documentation and get your job done within three working days,” she explained.
Some companies were set up on the premise that the GST regime would kick in at some point.
Prakash Agarwal is the CEO of one such company. He is an engineer with an MBA and has experience in investment banking. “We started last October. I come from a business family and realised that small firms cannot afford the big firms, and the local people they go to may not be aware of a big reform like the GST,” he explained.
Since June, just before GST kicked in, the company has provided 8,000 free consultations and 300 paid ones, catering to people from across the country, including Nagaland and Jammu & Kashmir. “A lot of people are still unaware of what needs to be done. There is an atmosphere of confusion. So far, we were getting queries about registration. But of late, a lot of requests are coming in for filing returns, the deadline for which has been extended to September 10,” he said.
Why go to private consultants?
To check eligibility
For help with stock management
For help with the transition to GST
Encountered error while registering
Faced delay in approval
Got a query about their application
